Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

The Chase's Darragh Ennis marks five years since going from contestant to quizmaster

Darragh Ennis has looked back at his first ever appearance on ITV's The Chase.

Not many will know that quizmaster 'The Menace' started his chaser career in the shoes of a contestant five years ago. In 2017, the 41-year-old made his debut on the ITV as a player hoping to win a cash prize.

Darragh wowed the audience and producers with his quick answers against Paul 'The Sinnerman'. In the impressive play he managed to earn £9,000 in the cash builder round which he got back to the table for the final with his team. His two other teammates in the final with him took low offers, leaving a total of £6,300 to play for - but sadly they lost.

READ MORE: ITV's The Chase player 'runs off' after securing place in the final

In 2020, he was announced as the next Chase star to join the show. His debut in the new role aired in November and attracted 4.9 million viewers which made it the most-watched episode in the show's history.

He now regularly joins other quiz professionals Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha and Jenny Ryan as the latest addition to the show. This week, he Tweeted to share a look back on how far he has come since being a contestant.

Darragh wrote: "5 years ago today I was on @ITVChase as a contestant. Article 50 was trending lower than #JusticeForDarragh. Today I'm filming #BeatTheChasers, it's been a weird few years."

Fans were quick to praise him for how far he had come since his first appearance. Natasha said: "And what a fantastic addition you are to the gang... just shows life can change in a positive way at the flip of a switch!! Kudos to you Darragh."

Ann said: "I can't believe it's been 5 years, where has the time gone? I still remember watching your appearance as if they had shown it on Saturday night! I said to my other half 'Wow this guy is amazing he's like a chaser' and here you are a chaser and my favourite chaser aswell!"

Jess also remembered the episode fondly, as she said: "I remember tweeting along to your episode at the time and seeing #JusticeForDarragh blow up. What a truly happy story, you're a wonderful asset to the team."

The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV and ITV Hub

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.