The Chase's Mark Labbett makes cheeky joke at contestant's unusual name

The Chase star Mark 'The Beast' Labbett could not resist making a cheeky joke at a contestant's unusual name which sounded like that of a famous comedian.

Mark is a chaser on the ITV show hosted by Bradley Walsh, and he was joined by a player on Tuesday's show with the name Peta-Kay.

Viewers flooded Twitter with Peter Kay jokes when Bradley greeted brainy author Peta-Kay, and Mark himself also could not resist making a gag.

Peta-Kay earned £3,000 in her cash builder round, but when Mark came out to go head to head with her, he joked: "I've cancelled your train home.

"With a name like yours, you've got to go home in a car share," he added, in reference to Peter Kay's sitcom, Car Share.

It was all in good fun, and Peta-Kay giggled "wow!" before deciding to take Mark's lower offer, which was just £1,000, and she as the second player in a row to take the lower offer.

But the four players managed to collect £11,000 between them, though viewers slammed the pair for taking the lower offer, which is generally seen a poor form.

The Beast told Peta-Kay she would be going home in a car share (ITV)

One asked: "Why do contestants take the lower offer in The Chase? I’d be like you can f**k right off, I don’t want you back thank you very much #TheChase ".

"Cop out the lot of um taking these lower offers! #TheChase," wrote another.

"Unless expressly instructed by the team to go for the lower offer, anybody who goes for the minus offer on @ITVChase doesn’t deserve to win anything & I can’t help wanting the Chaser to win. Harsh on the rest of the team I know, but it’s how I feel. Sorry team. #TheChase," added a third.

Viewers were furious when two players in a row took the low offer (ITV)

Others were simply distracted by Peta-Kay's name, with one writing: "Sees someone called peta kay on the chase, goes directly to twitter to see the ensuing hilarity #garlicbread #itsspittingeverybodyin #thechase ".

"Peta -kay ?? #thechase?? Got to be a wind up surely ,who's on next Mikhael -mcintyre ?" joked another.

"25 mins into the show and I’m still absolutely cackling everytime I see or hear the name Peta Kay .... I just can’t," penned a third alongside laughing face emojis. 

* The Chase airs weekdays on ITV at 5pm