Beat the Chasers on Challenge makes huge 'error' in question but there's a catch, did you spot it?

One viewer even contacted Anne Hegerty directly about it
Natasha Rigler
By Natasha Rigler

Beat the Chasers has been called out for making a big error in a question – but did you notice it?

The popular quiz show aired this week on Challenge, although the question and its correct answer left viewers stumped.

One fan even messaged Chaser Anne Hegerty directly on X to ask for her opinion on it.

Beat the Chasers’ Anne Hegerty was contacted by a fan over a ‘wrong’ answer (Credit: ITV)

But Anne simply replied: “I’m not responsible for the decisions of question setters.”

It turns out both the question and answer were correct, although there was a massive catch.

Beat the Chasers fan spots huge ‘error’ in question

Quiz fans were able to catch up on an episode of Beat the Chasers on Tuesday evening on Freeview channel Challenge.

But in the Final Chase, one contestant was asked: “Apart from Chester itself, how many other English cities have ‘chester’ in their name?”

The multiple choice answers given by host Bradley Walsh were either: One, two or three.

The contestant answered “three”, which was deemed correct. However, one knowledgeable fan took issue with the answer.

Writing on X, the viewer tagged in Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty and said: “An episode of #Beatthechasers, I feel a question asked was in error with its multiple choice answers.

“Thought I’d ask @anne_hegerty, she’s the sharpest & wittiest. The answer stated was 3. Isn’t it 4 (Chester) Manchester, Chichester, Winchester, Colchester.”

Anne was unable to help, passing the blame to the question setters. But eagle-eyed brainboxes soon worked out what had happened.

Beat the Chasers ‘wrong’ Chester question and answer explained

It was quickly pointed out to the original poster that Colchester was only granted city status in 2022. A deep dive then discovered that Tuesday’s episode of Beat the Chasers (October 20, 2026) was a very old repeat.

In fact, it was the third episode of series 1, which first aired in April 2020. Six years ago!

Setting the viewer straight, someone told her: “Colchester was still a town at the time of the question!”

Another added:”If the episode was filmed before 23rd November 2022 then Colchester wasn’t a city at that time.”

And a third penned: “Colchester wasn’t a city when this episode aired.”

Well that clears it up then. But, to be honest, we’re surprised The Governess wasn’t able to get to the bottom of it herself!

Read more: Location, Location, Location viewers fume over ‘pointless’ episode: ‘It shouldn’t have been broadcast’