Since first arriving on ITV in 2009, The Chase has become one of Britain’s most loved gameshows — fast, tense, funny, and often brutally unpredictable.
With Bradley Walsh at the helm and a fearsome line-up of Chasers waiting to take down contestants, the show has built a loyal audience over more than 15 years. But even one of ITV’s biggest success stories has not escaped controversy.
From Ofcom complaints and rejected answers to furious “fix” claims and a Chaser’s questionable response being accepted in a high-stakes Final Chase, the programme has found itself at the centre of several heated moments.
Here are the times The Chase came under serious fire from viewers.
The Ofcom Complaints That Sparked A Backlash
One of the biggest complaints aimed at the show came during the Covid pandemic.
In 2020, viewers contacted Ofcom after an episode of The Chase Celebrity Special showed Bradley Walsh and celebrity contestants hugging on screen.
At the time, social distancing rules were still fresh in the public’s mind, and many people watching at home felt uncomfortable seeing physical contact on television.
The show has been hit with Ofcom complaints before (Credit: ITV)
The episode had reportedly been filmed in September 2020, during a period when strict safety measures were still in place across the UK.
Ofcom later confirmed that 29 complaints had been made over the apparent lack of social distancing.
However, ITV defended the programme and explained that the episode had been filmed under approved safety arrangements.
Bradley’s rejection of some answers has angered fans in the past (Credit: ITV)
The broadcaster said that Series 11 of The Chase Celebrity Special had been produced using approved Close Contact Cohort protocols, meaning Bradley and the celebrity contestants were allowed to physically interact for short periods.
Still, the moment proved that even a light-hearted quiz show was not immune from public scrutiny during such a sensitive time.
Mark beat a team with 6 seconds to go (Credit: ITV)
When ‘Correct’ Answers Were Rejected
Another repeated source of frustration for viewers has been Bradley Walsh rejecting answers that some fans felt were close enough to count.
One memorable example came during an episode broadcast in November 2022.
Bradley asked a contestant: “Emilia Clarke watched videos of Hitler to prepare for the final episode of what TV series?”
The contestant replied: “Game of Throne.”
But Bradley marked the answer wrong because the correct title is Game of Thrones.
The decision immediately annoyed viewers, with some arguing that the contestant clearly knew the answer and had only made a small slip.
One viewer complained online that it was harsh not to accept the answer, while others felt the show had been far too strict.
A similar row erupted in February 2023 when Bradley asked: “What is the flag carrier airline of Turkey?”
The contestant answered: “Turkish Airline.”
Once again, the answer was rejected because the official name is Turkish Airlines — with an “s” at the end.
Fans watching at home were not impressed. Many felt the contestant’s answer was obvious and should have been accepted, while others argued that gameshow rules require exact answers, especially when brand names are involved.
Either way, the moment added to a growing list of occasions where viewers believed contestants had been unfairly denied points.
The £60,000 Final Chase That Led To ‘Fix’ Claims
Perhaps one of the most explosive controversies came in 2020, when a team of three contestants managed to build an impressive £60,000 prize pot.
The group then faced Mark Labbett, better known as The Beast, in the Final Chase.
They gave themselves a strong chance by putting 22 steps between themselves and Mark — a score that would usually make any Chaser work extremely hard.
But in a dramatic finish, Mark caught the team with just six seconds remaining.
The result stunned viewers, and not everyone accepted it quietly.
Some fans accused the show of being “fixed”, claiming Mark had been given easier questions than the contestants. Others suggested Bradley had read the questions too quickly during the Chaser’s round.
One viewer wrote that Mark appeared to have had easier questions, while another sarcastically questioned whether the rapid pace had helped him catch the team.
Of course, there was no evidence that the show was fixed. The Chase has always relied on speed, knowledge and pressure — and sometimes, the Chaser simply performs better under the clock.
But for fans who had been rooting for the contestants to take home the huge prize, the ending felt painfully harsh.
The Wrong Answer That Still Won The Show
In September 2023, viewers were left furious after what many believed was a major mistake during the Final Chase.
Contestants were playing for a massive £90,000 jackpot when Paul Sinha, known as The Sinnerman, appeared to give an incorrect answer.
During the round, Paul was asked which One Direction star was the father of Bear Payne.
The correct answer was Liam Payne.
However, Paul appeared to answer “Ian Payne” — and Bradley accepted it.
That decision proved costly. The accepted answer helped Paul continue his chase and the contestants ultimately missed out on the life-changing prize.
Fans immediately reacted online, with many insisting the team had been “robbed”.
Some viewers said they were certain Paul had said “Ian Payne” rather than “Liam Payne”, while others questioned why the answer had not been reviewed more carefully.
For many, it became one of the most controversial Final Chase moments in the show’s history.
Why The Chase Still Keeps Viewers Hooked
Despite the complaints, controversies and online outrage, The Chase remains one of ITV’s most dependable hits.
Part of its appeal is exactly why it causes such strong reactions: the stakes feel real. Contestants can lose thousands in seconds. One rejected answer can change everything. One Chaser’s comeback can crush an entire team’s dream.
Viewers care because they are invested.
They shout at the screen, debate decisions online and argue over whether a pronunciation should count or whether a Chaser got lucky with easier questions.
That passion has helped keep the show alive for more than 15 years.
But these controversies also prove one thing clearly: when it comes to The Chase, fans do not miss a thing.
And whether it is an Ofcom complaint, a rejected answer, a dramatic Final Chase or a wrong response that somehow slips through, viewers will always be ready to call it out.
