On Monday, June 9, 2025, fans of ITV's popular quiz show The Chase were left both captivated and frustrated after a tense episode featuring contestants Kerry, Ellena, Alex, and Fraser going head-to-head against Jenny Ryan, better known to viewers as "The Vixen." The stakes were high as the team battled to claim a hefty cash prize of £61,000, but despite their combined efforts and impressive knowledge, they ultimately fell just short, caught by The Vixen with only twelve seconds remaining.
The episode, which aired on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX, drew significant attention not only for the nail-biting finish but also for the controversy swirling around the difficulty and pacing of the questions asked during the show. Viewers took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions, accusing host Bradley Walsh of employing "sneaky tactics" that appeared to favor The Vixen's victory.
Fraser, a commercial operations specialist from Edinburgh, was among the last contestants to face The Vixen. Before the showdown, he shared a personal ambition with Walsh, revealing that if he won the jackpot, he planned to visit every Disney park worldwide. Fraser had built up £5,000 in his Cash Builder round and fought hard to secure his place in the final chase alongside teammates Alex from Fife and Kerry from Surrey. Together, the trio amassed a combined score of 20 and a prize pot of £61,000.
Despite their strong showing, The Vixen managed to catch them just seconds before time ran out, leaving the Scottish contestants and their fans disappointed. Many viewers expressed their frustration, with some describing the outcome as "sickening" and questioning the fairness of the questions posed to the contestants versus those given to The Vixen. Comments such as "Much easier questions for the Vixen" and "What easy questions for Jenny!" flooded social media, suggesting a perceived imbalance in the difficulty level.
Another point of contention was the speed at which host Bradley Walsh asked questions. Some viewers noted that Walsh appeared to ask questions more rapidly when addressing The Vixen compared to the contestants, potentially giving her an advantage in the quick-fire rounds. One viewer remarked, "Bradley asked the questions a lot quicker for the chaser than he did for the contestants #TheChase." This wasn't the first time such concerns were raised; previous episodes featuring Mark Labbett, known as "The Beast," also sparked debate about question fairness.
In a recent episode, contestants Michael, Francine, Amy, and Jamie faced off against Mark Labbett. Viewers noticed that some questions seemed tailored to Mark's expertise, particularly those related to mathematics and rugby—areas aligned with his background as a former supply PE and mathematics teacher in Wales. For instance, a question about the International Medal for Outstanding Discoveries in Mathematics was asked, to which Francine expressed doubt, saying, "He knows this doesn't he?" Bradley Walsh confirmed, "Of course he does, he's a mathematician." Similarly, a sports question about which Middle Eastern country played in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup was answered correctly by Mark but missed by Francine, fueling suspicions of an uneven playing field.
Bradley Walsh, who recently celebrated his 65th birthday, has been the face of The Chase since 2009, when he took over hosting duties. His journey to becoming host is an interesting story in itself. As he shared in an interview, he stumbled upon the opportunity after casually inquiring about presenting roles at ITV studios. When told about a new quiz show concept, he enthusiastically agreed to do a pilot, remarking, "I took it away and I said 'Yes, this can work, this will work' and she said, 'Okay, well we're going to make a pilot' and I said, 'I'll do it for you' and she said, 'Yeah, but it's only an office run-through' and I said, 'I'll do it for you, don't worry.'" Nearly sixteen years later, Walsh remains passionate about the show, stating, "Until people say they've had enough and start switching off, I'll do it. We've had such an extraordinary time together. It's the best job in the world."
Walsh's career has been diverse and colorful. Before his television fame, he was an apprentice jet engineer at Rolls Royce and even played football for Brentford FC until an injury ended his sports career. His first taste of showbiz came as a Pontins bluecoat entertainer, a role he lost due to his playful antics. He then consciously pursued comedy, developing a physical comedy style reminiscent of Norman Wisdom. Over two decades, Walsh has showcased his talents as a comedian, actor, and presenter, with notable roles in Coronation Street, Law and Order: UK, and Doctor Who.
Back to the June 9 episode, the team of contestants had some memorable moments beyond the final chase. Kerry from Surrey kicked off the contest with an impressive £6,000 in her Cash Builder round, securing her place in the final. Ellena, an accountant from The Wirral, followed with £2,000, though she was left speechless after The Vixen made a "savage" remark during their head-to-head battle. Ellena had joked about being the reincarnation of Elizabeth I due to their shared ginger hair, only for Jenny Ryan to quip, "Imagine how Elizabeth I would feel if she found out she was reincarnated as a local authority accountant." Bradley Walsh chuckled, and Ellena simply responded, "savage." Unfortunately, Ellena was caught by The Vixen and went home empty-handed.
Alex from Fife then took center stage, delivering a stellar performance by earning £9,000 in his Cash Builder round. Confident in his abilities, he opted to play for The Vixen's higher offer of £50,000. After a nail-biting one-question shoot-out, Alex triumphed and rejoined his teammates for the final chase. Bradley Walsh praised Alex, saying, "What a performance that was. A brilliant job, that was a different class."
Despite the contestants' efforts and moments of individual brilliance, the final chase proved just out of reach. The Vixen's ability to edge out the team with mere seconds remaining left many viewers questioning the fairness and balance of the game. Yet, the episode also highlighted the enduring appeal of The Chase, a show that combines sharp wit, quick thinking, and a dash of drama to keep audiences hooked.
As the show continues to air weekdays at 5 pm on ITV1 and ITVX, fans will no doubt be eager to see if future contestants can finally outwit The Vixen and claim that elusive jackpot. Meanwhile, Bradley Walsh remains at the helm, bringing his signature charm and energy to the screen, ensuring that The Chase remains one of Britain's most beloved quiz shows.
