The Chase's Paul Sinha would quit show and choose stand-up over TV career

Paul Sinha has admitted that he would walk away from The Chase to continue his stand-up career if he had to make a choice.

The general knowledge brainbox has appeared on the popular quiz show for over a decade, taking up the nickname The Sinnerman in a bid to stop contestants winning a cash prize.

But the 51-year-old has admitted his real passion remains in the world of comedy.

Despite regularly showcasing his knowledge on the evening show, the star has long been a comedian and admits that he didn't know appearing on the show hosted by Bradley Walsh would have such an effect on his life.

Speaking to Russell Howard on The Russell Howard Hour on Sky One, Paul admitted he was "lucky" with how things had panned out, but is cautious not to put all his eggs in one basket.

Paul Sinha is a comedian as well as being on TV show The Chase (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Paul has been The Sinnerman for over a decade (LightRocket via Getty Images)

"I’m part of a show that, luckily for me, is doing very well and is very popular," he said.

"I didn’t know when I joined the show the degree that my life would be turned upside down."

He went on to say: "If I had to choose it would be stand-up though because at the end of the day The Chase will go as long as it can, but it’s TV and TV is a finite thing.

"I don’t want to be at the whim of producers, put all your eggs in the quiz basket.

"Stand-up is what I really love and want to be doing for as long as humanly possible. I mean, I love both, but if I had to pick one it would be stand-up."

Paul's comments come after he had paid tribute to a contestant who had died after appearing on the hit ITV show.

Pete Green, 72, died before his episode aired this week, which showed him go head-to-head with Chaser Paul.

Pete died in a house blaze before his show aired on Monday (ITV)

The contestant filmed the episode, which aired on Monday evening, last September but tragically died in a house fire before it aired.

Paul took to Twitter shortly after the episode went out to say: "Saddened to hear that Pete from today's Chase has since passed away in horrible circumstances.

"A true gentleman, a warm, engaging and thoroughly entertaining opponent."

It was reported in the Eastern Daily Press that the pensioner had died in a fire at his house on June 27.