At 109 years old, Doris Wakelin has received plenty of surprises, but a visit from one of the stars of her favourite television show might just take the cake.
The Ashburton centenarian, an avid fan of The Chase, was treated to a surprise visit from Shaun Wallace, better known as the Dark Destroyer – one of the show’s formidable Chasers.
Wallace stopped by Radius Millstream rest home yesterday, telling fellow residents he had come to see "a very, very wonderful, special lady named Doris".
He presented Doris with a special signed The Chase coffee mug, thanking her for being the show's "loyal and number one fan".
Her daughter Noella said staff had organised the surprise for her mother, who watched the programme at least twice a day.
"She absolutely appreciated the visit," she told 1News, adding that it was "very special" to see a world-famous television personality take the time to visit her mother.
"It was lovely just seeing him giving her the coffee cup and talk to her."
And of course, no visit from the Chaser would be complete without a quiz.
Wallace faced off against Doris and her family in a six-question challenge which covered Ashburton trivia and some of the centenarian's favourite things.
It proved to be just another day at the office for the Dark Destroyer, who correctly answered five out of the six questions and claimed the win.
But the Chaser was more than happy to concede his victory.
"Doris is the real winner. I just answer questions correctly," he joked.
A barrister and former Mastermind champion, Wallace had appeared on The Chase since its launch in 2009 and was currently in New Zealand on a quiz tour to raise money for Cure Kids.
What 'Dark Destroyer' Shaun Wallace makes of NZ, The Chase success - Watch on TVNZ+
But while the Dark Destroyer certainly made an impression, he didn't quite manage to dethrone Doris' favourite personality from the show.
Doris had received a happy birthday video message from the show's host Bradley Walsh for six consecutive years, most recently for her 109th birthday in July.
"She considers Bradley to be just like another son," Noella said.
Walsh had previously joked about travelling to New Zealand to visit Doris for tea and cake, but Wallace managed to beat him to it.
The Chase host had a special message for superfan Doris Wakelin. (Source: Supplied)
"Bradley sends his love. He couldn't make it because he's extremely busy, but he assures me that when he has the opportunity he will come," Wallace told Doris.
Noella said she had since asked her mother whether Wallace had become her new favourite after making the journey to see her, but her loyalty remained with the show's longtime host.
It seems even the Dark Destroyer couldn't chase Bradley from the top spot.
Watch The Chase UK daily at 5pm on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+
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