Viewers of ITV’s quiz show “Beat the Chasers” expressed their outrage after contestant Sam narrowly missed winning £75,000. The incident occurred during the latest episode aired on October 5, 2025. This marked the seventh series of the popular program, where participants face off against the formidable chasers: Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan, and Darragh Ennis.
Highlights of the Episode
The episode kicked off with contestant Jemima, who performed admirably, securing £4,000 in her round. Unfortunately, fellow contestants Ceri and Daniel struggled against the chasers.
- Jemima: Earned £4,000 with a strong performance.
- Ceri and Daniel: Failed to catch their chasers.
Later in the show, contestant Sanjay won £60,000 after a successful round against four chasers. However, it was Sam’s compelling decision to take on all five chasers for the chance of £75,000 that had viewers talking.
Controversial Moment
During an intense showdown, Sam missed out on the grand prize by merely one second. Fans took to social media to express their discontent, labeling the situation as unfair. Some viewers claimed Sam was “robbed,” while others highlighted a specific incident where he responded with “Chanel” instead of “Coco Chanel.” This led to further frustration when fans questioned the consistency of the quiz format.
- Viewer Reactions:
- “#BeatTheChasers doesn’t often get that close.”
- “Absolutely gutted!”
- “Lost by one second.”
- “That was outrageous!”
Chasers’ Performance Under Scrutiny
In addition to Sam’s near-miss, the performance of the chasers faced criticism. Following Jemima’s successful round, viewers remarked on Paul Sinha’s and Shaun Wallace’s struggles. Chaser Mark Labbett expressed sympathy for Paul, noting that Shaun’s limited guessing left Paul to bear the brunt of the questioning.
- Chaser Critique:
- Mark Labbett: “Felt really sorry for Paul there.”
- Darragh Ennis: Made a lighthearted comment about Jemima’s performance.
“Beat the Chasers” continues to air on Sundays at 8 PM on ITV1, drawing viewers for its blend of excitement and tension, despite the occasional controversy over answers and performance. As fans eagerly await the next episode, the reactions from this week’s episode demonstrate the show’s capacity to engage and provoke strong opinions.
