The Chase fans were left stunned and impressed after a very important Buckingham Palace employee appeared as a contestant on the ITV gameshow
Crawley-born player Ritchie joined three other contestants as the brainy foursome set out to win a cash prize against chaser Shaun Wallace – AKA The Dark Destroyer – in the latest instalment of the show.
But fans were shocked after the seemingly shy player admitted he was a firefighter at Buckingham Palace.
Greeted by impressed gasps from the audience, host Bradley couldn’t help but question Ritchie on his role, admitting he was fascinated and impressed.
“I do patrol at Buckingham Palace and I also look after Kensington and St James,” said Ritchie, adding that he has been a fireman for 24 years.
(Image: ITV)
As the fireman went on to answer questions in the rapid fire round, he drew laughter from the entire set after managing to get a question about Fireman Sam wrong.
Bradley asked: “Which children’s tv character originally started on Welsh TV as Sam Tan?”
Ritchie was seen passing on the question, seemingly none the wiser that the answer was in fact Fireman Sam.
(Image: ITV)
After winning a £6,000 haul to take over to the Final Chase, Bradley, 61, couldn’t help but mock his blunder – with the help of Ritchie’s fellow contestants.
Contestant Emma blurted out: “You’re never going to live that down!” as Bradley laughed and expressed his disbelief.
During his head to head with chaser Shaun, Ritchie was seen considering taking the low offer of £-1,000, causing Bradley to begin impersonating the Royal Family and expressing their disappointment at his decision
“Mother, have you seen? £-1,000 surely not!” he said before making a series of dissatisfied noises.
Fans took to Twitter to laugh about the exchange.
(Image: ITV)
“Bradley has just destroyed his chances of getting a knighthood!” said one viewer.
“What f***wit of a fireman doesn’t know who Sam Tan is #TheChase,” said another
While a third added: “Well done Ritchie and fireman Sam was funny – don’t go low! #TheChase.”
The foursome ultimately bagged an impressive £19,000 prize pot for the final chase but were defeated to the win by Shaun, also dubbed The Dark Destroyer.
Elsewhere in the viewers were left in hysterics after a contestant screwed up their face and begrudgingly gave a correct answer.
Contestant Emma, a hardcore Manchester City Fan who earlier admitted to moving to Manchester to be closer to her beloved team, was asked: “Which English football club signed England international Jadon Sancho in the summer of 2021 from Borussia Dortmund?”
Screwing her face up, Emma said: “Manchester United.”
Emma later apologised, saying: “Sorry I couldn’t resist screwing my face up giving that answer.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
