The Chase star Darragh Ennis has passionately defended host Bradley Walsh and the ITV show’s writers over the jokes that feature on the program.
Since The Chase began in 2009, a key part of its charm has been Walsh’s quick-witted banter with the show’s quizmasters.
Ennis, known affectionally as 'The Menace' along with Mark 'The Beast' Labbett, Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha, Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace, Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan, and Anne 'The Governess' Hegerty, all share their own personal jokes with Walsh.
However, some ITV viewers have taken issue with certain quips, accusing the show of “fat-shaming” Labbett and Hegerty due to some of Walsh’s remarks, while Wallace’s nickname has led to accusations of racism.
Ennis has now weighed in on the matter, hitting back at concerns that political correctness could affect the banter between Walsh and the Chasers. When asked by GB News if he thought the jokes could be watered down due to complaints, Ennis confidently said: "Oh, it won't."
He elaborated: "The thing about it being a joke or being the butt of the joke is that if you're in the joke and you're participating actively, then it's cool. If someone's doing it without your consent and they're beating down on you, then it's just bullying. And it's never, ever gotten (to that on) the show."
Ennis went on to explain that the Chasers and Walsh have open discussions about the jokes. "We all know Brad. We've all talked about what we're okay with in jokes and what we're not.
"Anne genuinely doesn't care about the things he says about her, she thinks it's funny. I think it's funny when he makes fun of me and we're in on the joke. So it's not bullying, it's fun and we're all in it together."
Labbett previously addressed the complaints, responding to a social media user in 2021 who suggested he was being "fat-shamed" by the jokes. He defended the show, tweeting: "The joke writers have to mass produce 220 intros to each of us a year and certain themes develop…”
Wallace has also responded to claims about his nickname, strongly rejecting any suggestions of racism.
In 2021, he took to X (formerly Twitter), shutting down the accusations by stating: “But I’m not defined by the colour of my skin. I’m black who intellectually destroys contestants.”
When asked by GB News how long he planned to stay on The Chase, Ennis made it clear that he’s in it for the long haul: “For as long as they make the show. I would like to do it up until I basically until I retire. I love working there, it's a brilliant show to work on."
Ennis and his fellow Chasers had a reason to celebrate earlier this week when The Chase took home the Best Daytime Programme award.
However, the celebrations were slightly dampened as their spin-off show Beat the Chasers missed out on the Best Quiz Game Show title to The 1% Club.
