When the clock struck 5pm on August 27, 2025, the Colliers pub in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, was packed to the rafters. Friends, family, and former colleagues crowded around televisions, drinks in hand, eyes glued to the screen. The occasion was bittersweet: they were gathered not just for a quiz show, but for a celebration of life—watching their beloved Tim McCarthy, a former headteacher and community pillar, achieve a dream he’d held close for years. What made the moment so poignant was the fact that Tim, 64, had passed away just a month before, never getting to see his own triumph on ITV’s The Chase.
According to the BBC, Tim had recorded his episode of the popular quiz show back in October 2024, all the while keeping a devastating secret from the producers. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, he feared that if the show’s team knew about his illness, he wouldn’t be allowed to compete. “Tim was so scared they wouldn’t let him compete if they knew about his diagnosis. So he didn’t tell them,” his widow Rachel McCarthy recalled to BBC News.
On the night of the broadcast, only Rachel and their three children knew the outcome in advance. For everyone else, suspense and excitement filled the air. As the episode unfolded, Tim’s journey was anything but straightforward. He started with a rocky performance, answering just one question correctly for £1,000 in the opening round—a moment that might have rattled even the most seasoned quizzer. But Tim wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. In the next round, he took the riskiest offer on the table: £95,000. Against the odds and under immense pressure, he nailed it, boosting the team’s total to a staggering £100,000, thanks also to a £5,000 win by his fellow contestant.
It all came down to a nail-biting finale against Chaser Jenny Ryan. The tension in the pub was palpable, as Jenny came within a whisker—less than a second—of overtaking Tim and his teammate. But time ran out, and victory was theirs. The Colliers erupted in cheers, laughter, and a few tears. As Rachel described it, “He liked to punch the air when he won on the horses and this was a punch-the-air moment.”
For Tim, the motivation to appear on The Chase was about more than money. “I’m not wanting any money,” he explained at the start of the show, “but I’m here for the fun.” Still, he admitted the cash prize could be a boon for his family, mentioning hopes for a “new conservatory.” Sadly, as Rachel shared, “We never got to spend his £50,000 prize as his health deteriorated and we couldn’t even go on a holiday.” The fact that the family never saw the financial reward only added another layer to the emotional resonance of the evening.
Tim McCarthy’s life was defined by far more than his game show appearance. Born in Warrington, he was a physics graduate from the University of Manchester, completing his degree by the age of 19—a testament to his intellect and drive. He went on to become a leading figure in education, serving as principal of Stockport Academy and later as founding chief executive of Aurora Academies Trust, where he helped launch schools across the UK, Dubai, and India. According to Metro, Tim once saved a failing school with a £27 million investment, protecting 650 students from closure. His commitment to education was legendary, and his influence rippled far beyond the classroom.
Tim’s flair for inspiring others wasn’t limited to his administrative roles. In 2000, as deputy head of Avondale High School in Stockport, he made headlines for a cheeky bet: he wagered £1,000 that his pupils would improve their GCSE results. When they did, he shared the winnings with colleagues and students in a jubilant celebration. “The idea of the bet was just tongue-in-cheek to start with but it became a real motivating force for the children. They really put a big effort into their exams,” Tim reflected at the time, as reported by Daily Mail.
His friends and family remember him as a man of warmth, wit, and deep intelligence. “He was the most clever man I ever knew,” Rachel told BBC News. Friend Stuart Keane echoed the sentiment, calling Tim a “brilliant friend with a brilliant mind.” The outpouring of love and respect was evident at his funeral, where, according to Manchester Evening News, some 200 people gathered to pay their respects—a testament to the lasting impact he had on his community.
For those who knew Tim, the episode’s broadcast served as a final tribute. Jen Headey, a close friend, shared her feelings in the run-up to the show: “We lost Tim last month, he never told us how he did, he wasn’t allowed. He loved to keep us guessing though. We will be gathering round our set with friends to watch our very good friend Tim battle it out with the Chasers. I know a few other establishments up and down the country will be joining in to celebrate this moment. I miss your bear hugs, your laugh and even your Manc accent. Be good to hear it again, even if it’s past tense. We love and miss you Tim.”
The emotional weight of the broadcast was felt not just in Tyldesley but across the UK. According to Edinburgh Live, viewers were “emotionally devastated” upon learning of Tim’s death after the episode aired. Social media lit up with tributes, with one viewer tweeting, “Very rare does a quiz show bring me to almost tears, but seeing Tim McCarthy winning his share of £100k tonight in The Chase for his family when he knew he hadn’t long to live is a rewarding legacy for his bravery. Sadly Tim never saw this programme air.”
Tim McCarthy’s story is one of persistence, courage, and generosity. Even as he faced a terminal diagnosis, he chose to pursue joy and leave a legacy—not just for his family, but for everyone whose lives he touched. His posthumous victory on The Chase was more than just a game show win; it was a final, unforgettable celebration of a life well lived.
