The Chase star Shaun Wallace hits back and tells viewers to ‘shut up’ following criticism
'I'll always defend people who put their head above the parapet,' Shaun told TV GuideThe Chase star Shaun Wallace has hit back at viewers for their constant criticism of the players on the show.
Since 2009, Shaun, also known as The Dark Destroyer, has remained a regular Chaser on the ITV game show. Throughout the years, the show hasn’t been shy of backlash, and Shaun himself has come to the players’ defense on multiple occasions.
In an exclusive interview with TV Guide, on behalf of WhichBingo, Shaun revealed that the selected contestants are “a mixture of people who basically want to meet Bradley, and who basically want to quiz on a quiz show for the first time”.
Shaun Wallace hits back at The Chase viewers
Shaun explained that the show manages to get “some really good quizzers who really want to test themselves against a professional quizzer”.
However, the 65-year-old insisted it “takes courage” for the players to take part in the show and said that “facing a daunting quiz professional can be intimidating”.
However, Shaun has acknowledged that when “a person gets a question wrong”, they can face unfair scrutiny online. And as a result, has hit back at viewers.
“Sometimes you see on social media, people are being mocked or ridiculed for either taking a lower offer or basically not answering a question within the allotted time they’re given. And those who sit on the comfort of the sofa, I basically say to them, shut up. Because you know what, guess what? You’re not here. And it takes courage,” he said.
“I’ll always defend people who put their head above the parapet and basically say, I want to take on a professional quizzer, and with the sums that are at stake, we’re talking tens of thousands of pounds as well. I’m the only chaser who will go and see the contestants, whether they win or lose, because, as I say, it does take courage. So I’ll be the first to congratulate them if they win, and I’ll be the first to commiserate with them if they lose. I’ll always do that.”
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‘I can make a mistake’
Like the contestants, Shaun has also answered many questions incorrectly. Some of which, in fact, have haunted him.
“There are too many to mention. I was asked what colour the Simpsons are, and I said they’re blue. Or that which is the youngest of the Simpsons’ children. You know, or what is the only African country, when I was one question away from winning, which begins with the letter K. Sometimes you have a brain freeze. It happens to the best,” he shared.
“At the end of the day, I’m not a machine. I can make a mistake. Of course.”
Read more: The Chase fans call for Shaun Wallace to ‘retire’ following ’embarrassing’ episode
