The Chase's Anne Hegerty has revealed why filming for the popular game show has been put on hold for a year.
According to The Sun, Hegerty, who goes by The Governess on-screen, explained that "we’ve got hundreds of shows in the can", meaning they could take a break.
“Last year we did two series of Beat the Chasers, which we were only supposed to do one.
“And it gives everyone time to do things. Bradley has things he wants to do, Jenny has her singing.
Hegerty said she was interested in doing some acting.
"There is a film director interested in me," she said.
Hegerty was asked if the pause was due to budget cuts at The Chase's network, ITV.
She said: “Everyone is cutting because the streaming services are carrying acts.
“Everyone is trying to save money, so I wouldn’t say that wasn’t part of it."
She said that "we don't need to show repeats" and The Chase was "still massively doing the ratings".
"We outrate everything."
The pause also means host Bradley Walsh would be available to present the popular Strictly Come Dancing.
For the show's crew, however, there was some worry about the pause.
“It’s been quite a shock and very disappointing," a source told The Sun in April.
“Many crew members feel worried and scared for the future during an uncertain time in TV."
Most of The Chase stars also feature in the spinoffs Beat the Chasers; The Chase: Bloopers; The Chasers’ Road Trip: Trains, Brains and Automobiles; and The Family Chase. It also has dozens of international versions, including a short four-episode New Zealand run.
ITV told The Sun in April: "The Chase has just finished recording series 19, which completes its recording schedule for this year.
“ITV will continue to air The Chase as usual, with a combination of new and repeat episodes across the year. With more than 2.5million viewers per show, The Chase remains one of the nation’s most loved quiz shows."
According to The Sun, around 120 episodes of the show a made a year, in three stints of filming. The outlet said there would be no filming in June or October, and was unlikely to resume until April.
Watch The Chase UK daily at 5pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump's heated call with Netanyahu and New Zealand's luckiest lotto player this year. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME