Fans of the popular ITV game show “The Chase” have voiced their outrage after a contestant deployed a controversial tactic that significantly reduced the team’s prize pot. 

The episode, which aired on Thursday, saw four hopefuls compete against Chaser Jenny Ryan, also known as “The Vixen,” with host Bradley Walsh guiding them through the game.

The show started with 24-year-old Eleanor, who, despite an impressive cash builder round where she earned £6,000, was unable to defeat Jenny and was eliminated from the game. 

Next up was 43-year-old Bev from Borehamwood, who made a bold decision to take the highest offer of £40,000. 

Jenny acknowledged her competitive spirit, and against the odds, Bev managed to beat The Chaser, adding the substantial amount to the team’s total prize fund.

However, it was 44-year-old Nick who stunned viewers with his decision. 

When faced with his turn to play, he accepted a staggering minus £14,000 offer, drastically reducing the prize money that Bev had courageously won. His rationale was to ensure he made it through to the Final Chase, increasing the team’s chances of securing a win. Despite the shock and disappointment from the audience, Nick successfully completed his round and made it back to the team.

The controversy continued when 52-year-old Neil also opted for a lower offer, reducing the team’s total further by £5,000. While both contestants successfully returned, their decisions left a sour taste for many viewers, who expressed their frustrations on social media.

One viewer took to X (formerly Twitter) to write: “Only just hearing about this guy taking -£14,000 on #TheChase. Utterly shambolic and shameful behaviour.” Another commented, “Minus £14k! I could never show my face in public again.” Meanwhile, another fan added, “Why go on a quiz show and aim to win as much as possible, only to take away from the total? Felt sorry for the contestant who secured £40,000 only for it to be reduced. #TheChase.”

Despite the backlash, Jenny Ryan maintained a professional stance, acknowledging the unpredictability of the game. “I will remember this game forever—it had so many ups and downs. It was absolutely crazy, but what a joy to play against you all,” she said at the end of the episode. Unfortunately for the team, they did not manage to beat Jenny in the Final Chase, leaving with nothing.

This isn’t the first time a contestant’s decision has sparked controversy. Just a day prior, another episode saw Bradley Walsh intervene when a contestant named Qahir chose the lowest possible offer of £1,000, despite earning £5,000 in his cash builder round. The host appeared frustrated, remarking: “You’ve been vindicated in going for the minus offer, but it would be an awful waste of my time if you don’t go through now.”

“The Chase” has always been known for its intense competition, dramatic moments, and occasionally controversial choices by contestants. While some argue that strategic plays like Nick’s increase a team’s chance of success, others believe such tactics undermine the spirit of the game. Either way, these dramatic episodes continue to keep audiences engaged and invested in the show’s outcomes.

As debates continue online, one thing remains certain: “The Chase” never fails to deliver excitement, controversy, and plenty of talking points for its dedicated fanbase.

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