The Chase’s Shaun Wallace begs BBC to give him Mastermind job as John Humphreys steps down after 18 years

The Chase’s Shaun Wallace has thrown his hat in the ring to replace John Humphreys as Mastermind quizmaster. 

Humphreys, 77, announced last month that he was stepping down from his hosting duties of the popular BBC one show after 18 years. 

Now rumours are rife on who could step in, with Samira Ahmed and Naga Munchetty both reportedly considered to be in the running. 

But Shaun – known as the Dark Destroyer on the ITV favourite – has now spoken out and said he would love to fill Humphreys’ shoes too. 

‘If I got to be the host of Mastermind, it would be a tremendous honour,’ he told Simon Gross on his webshow. 

‘It would go to show that television looks at diverse talent irrespective of your skin colour, gender or sexuality, and it would give encouragement to people that you can come from nowhere and end up being something if you’ve got the talent.’ 

Shaun, a qualified barrister, has previous knowledge of the show – having been a participant facing off against Humphreys’ line of questioning in 2004. 

Naturally, he won – and he feels it would be ‘a fantastic story if a former champion became the host’. 

On the announcement of his exit, Humphreys – who hosted more than 750 episodes of the programme – admitted he ‘didn’t envy’ whoever would take his place, hinting that a female could be sitting in the quiz seat before too long. 

‘Mastermind is one of those programmes you tinker with at your peril,’ he then said. 

‘Allow a contender to choose a light-hearted subject and the cry goes out: “Dumbing down!”

‘Change the format even slightly and you are “sexing up”. Believe me, it’s not just the contestants who are in the spotlight.’

The Chase airs weekdays from 5pm on ITV.

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