The Chase viewers brand new spin-off The Chase Around the World as 'budget' version of hit BBC rival
Bradley Walsh and the Chasers have gone globalThe Chase viewers have given their verdict on the show’s new spin-off The Chase Around the World – and many are in agreement over one thing.
Fans of the ITV quiz show tuned in excitedly last night to watch Bradley Walsh and the Chasers doing something slightly different.
Rather than a dark TV studio, The Chase has gone global.
Six teams went head-to-head, racing across the city of Rome in Italy while answering a series of questions and puzzles.
The team that made it to the finish line last had to face Anne Hegerty and Mark Labbett.
The show will now progress to four more countries, with episode two taking place in Barcelona in Spain.
But The Chase Around the World’s format is ringing loud bells for many viewers who tuned in.
The Chase Around the World branded ‘budget’ version of rival show
Fans can’t help but compare The Chase Around the World to the BBC’s Race Across the World, both its civilian and celebrity versions.
Race Across the World also sees teams – usually five – going head-to-head in a race across multiple countries. This year’s competitors had to plot and plan their way from Eastern Asia into Indonesia.
There were no Chasers meeting them along the way, granted. Or Bradley Wash. But viewers still feel The Chase Around the World’s format is strikingly similar.
Writing on X, one fan said: “The Chase Around the World on ITV1 is a budget Race Across the World. Lots of endless, exhausting running. Way too much Bradley Walsh, and The Chasers too cartoon-like.”
Another added: “It seems more Race Across the World than The Chase but little suspense so far.”
A third penned: “This may sound hasty, but I’m not really warming to this new programme tbh. I’ll just stick to watching #TheChase, Race Across The World, and Coach Trip as separate programmes.”
And someone else wrote: ‘This race around the world is a very original idea for a TV programme – Sorry, I meant to say Chase around the world…”
When is The Chase Around the World on next?
The first episode did not see any contestants leave the race. Ashwin and Nikita, a father and daughter team, were last to the finish line in Rome. They then clung on to their place in the show after taking on Anne and Mark in a Final Chase.
Ashwin and Nikita managed to get 10 correct answers in 42 seconds. Anne and Mark managed six before their 42 seconds ran out.
Episode 2 of The Chase Around the World will air next Thursday July 23, 2026. It starts at 9pm on ITV1 and runs for an hour.
Will you be tuning in again?
