Viewers of ITV’s hit quiz show The Chase erupted with fury during Wednesday night’s episode after what many are calling a “shocking injustice” saw one contestant denied a correct answer — potentially costing the team a whopping £48,000.
Contestant George, 23, gave the answer “hijacked” to the question: “The term carjack is a blend of car and what other word?” But host Bradley Walsh quickly dismissed it, insisting the correct answer was “hijack.”
The ruling sparked immediate backlash online, with fans flooding X (formerly Twitter) with angry posts. One user fumed: “Hijack, hijacked — are you joking? He was right!” Another added: “Yet again, The Chase is a joke. I’m reporting this to Ofcom.”
Some viewers even questioned whether the pace of Bradley’s delivery influenced the misunderstanding, saying: “It’s hard to tell what was said at that speed. He deserved the point.”
The drama was made worse when the team – who had earned a combined £48,000 – were ultimately defeated in the Final Chase with just 13 seconds remaining. Chaser Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis even admitted he was surprised by the narrow win.
To add salt to the wound, Bradley closed the show with the line: “And the £48,000 turns to dust… just like that.”
While some fans applauded George’s efforts, the majority are demanding ITV review its decision — with many calling it one of the “most frustrating moments” in the show’s history.
