The Chase really is the funniest show on TV and here’s the proof-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The Chase often has everyone laughing (Pictures: ITV)

You can always rely on The Chase to put you in a good mood with its weird and wonderful moments.

Over the past 15 years, the ITV gameshow has given viewers their fair share of hilarious moments – from rude questions to embarrassing gaffes and even destroying the show itself.

Even presenter Bradley Walsh can barely keep a straight face, with his explosive laughter becoming synonymous with the show.

And despite their intimidating demeanour, chasers Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis often can’t help but crack a smile.

We would go as far as saying it’s the funniest show on TV right now, giving us some genuinely unpredictable comedic moments.

As The Chase celebrates its 15th anniversary, here’s the proof…

Decorative nobs

Honestly, could you resist making a joke? (Picture: ITV)

Bradley was forced to give one cheeky contestant a warning after their NSFW remark to a question.

An episode back in January saw Nesta, David, Reece and Andrea tasked with teaming up and building up the prize pool.

One of the questions Reece was faced with was: ‘In ceramics, what is a finial?’

The possible answers were an ornate spout, a relief panel or a decorative knob.

After locking in the final option, Reece cheekily declared he ‘knew a lot about decorative knobs’, and Bradley couldn’t contain himself.

The links between contestant’s names

The Chase viewers have cottoned onto the strange coincidence with contestant’s names.

Often there is an unusual link between the four contestants – who have never met each other before appearing on the show.

Their names are linked by a common theme – and we’ve had everything from famous musicians to Avengers, and even the Royal Family.

Last year, viewers were left stunned by an episode where every contestant had a link to The Spice Girls – Gerry, Emma, Mel, and Victoria.

A giant cock in Trafalgar Square

Yes, you read that correctly.

In 2015,Bradley was faced with having to ask the question: ‘The giant cock that was placed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2013 is what colour?’

Could you read that without letting out a smile or a little chuckle? Nope, neither could Bradley or contestant Anne who both couldn’t help but laugh, and it wasn’t the first time…

Dick Tingeler and Willi Wakker

The Chase often descends into absolute chaos thanks to the most simple questions.

If it’s not Gobbler’s Nob, Daisy Badger, or Golden Balls – it’s the infamous Dick Tingeler and Willi Wakker that crack Bradley up.

During a celebrity edition of the show in 2012, comedian Tim Vine was asked what the animated character Andy Capp was known as in Germany – Dick Tingeler, Helmut Schmaker, and Willi Wakker.

The Beast, aka Mark Labbett, tried to keep his cool, but both Tim and Bradley were howling with laughter alongside the audience and fellow contestants. And, of course, the viewers at home.

Anne’s cheeky flirting

The Governess, aka Anne Hegerty, is known for her stern demeanour as her stage name suggests.

However, the cheeky Chaser often can’t help but flirt with the unsuspecting contestants – once turning the charm on with boxing icon David Haye.

When she met David on the show, she confessed she wanted to ‘lick him’, with the sports star unsure how to respond.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk about the hilarious interaction, Anne said: ‘Well, let’s face it, some people are just pretty. I just felt that his prettiness should be communicated to him.’

A contestant’s disastrous wrong answer

In 2021, Bradley was left doubled over in laughter by a contestant’s ‘Wetherspoons’ answer.

It came after plucky quizzer Kieran confused Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn for the UK pub chain during the dramatic final chase.

The question which had him stumped was: ‘Which pub serves Betty’s Hot Pot?’

Struggling for answers, Kieran immediately regretted giving the answer: ‘Wetherspoons’, when, of course, soap fans will know is very, very wrong.

Bradley breaking the set

In 2018, Bradley managed to punch a hole in The Chase when he got too excited about an answer.

As he was chatting to one contestant, Max, he enthusiastically hit the screen in front of him, causing it to crack.

‘I just get too into it,’ he jokingly explained, covering up the board while The Beast and Max laughed along.

Shaun’s reindeer costume

A 2016 Christmas special saw straight-faced chaser Shaun, aka The Dark Destroyer, get into the festive spirit.

He dressed up in a really warm reindeer outfit, shocking everyone in the studio including Bradley and the contestants.

But while it was amusing for viewers, he actually overheated quite a bit to the point where staff had to cool him off with ice in towels.

And of course, Fanny Chmelar

How can we talk about The Chase’s funniest moments without discussing Bradley’s Fanny Chmelar breakdown?

As we’re sure fans of the gameshow remember, Bradley couldn’t keep it together when the Austrian skier’s name came up as an answer to a question in 2011.

At the time, he even said that he’d head straight to the courthouse to change his name if he was in her shoes.

The famous ‘Fanny Chmelar’ question has millions of views on YouTube. Fellow skier Chemmy Alcott once said on Eurosport that Fanny Chmelar knew about The Chase question and her fame as a result and also found it very funny.

And earlier this year, Bradley was brought face-to-face with the athlete in a truly bizarre moment on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show where Bradley had his sleep interrupted by the comedian to answer a series of questions.

When Fanny appeared after an incredible double bluff, Bradley blurted out: ‘I am so sorry! I am so sorry!’ while holding his hands to his head. ‘I didn’t mean to laugh.’

After Fanny revealed the correct pronunciation of her name, Bradley stuttered as he tried to find the right words to say in her presence.

‘This is really surreal,’ he eventually managed to say. ‘This is the most surreal moment of my life. I am properly sweating. I am actually sweating.’

The Chase airs on ITV and ITVX.

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