The Chase Viewers Call It the ‘Best Episode in Ages’ After Dramatic Final Leaves Bradley Walsh Stunned

The Chase delivered a nail-biting finish that left contestants, viewers and host Bradley Walsh struggling to believe what had just happened.

In an extraordinary final round, two contestants faced Mark Labbett, better known as The Beast, with £13,000 on the line. What followed was an exceptionally close contest that came down to the final seconds, with one unexpected mistake changing the outcome.

Walsh described the game as “unbelievable”, while viewers praised it as one of the most exciting episodes of the ITV quiz show in recent memory.

Two Contestants Battle Their Way Into the Final Chase

The episode began with four hopeful contestants — Tracey, Steve, Elle and Matt — hoping to outsmart one of Britain’s toughest television quizzers.

Tracey was the first to face The Beast, but her attempt ended in disappointment when Labbett caught her during the head-to-head round.

Walsh delivered the familiar verdict, telling her that her time on the show was over.

Steve followed and initially impressed the host by building an £8,000 cash offer. However, he too was eliminated by The Beast before reaching the final.

Steve admitted he was devastated by the result, prompting Walsh to praise his performance.

“I bet you are, you’re an unbelievably good player,” the presenter told him.

With half the team eliminated, the pressure fell on Elle and Matt to keep their hopes of winning alive.

Elle successfully returned to the team with £5,000, while Matt also defeated The Beast in his individual round.

Together, they built a £13,000 prize fund and advanced to the Final Chase.

A Remarkable Final Comes Down to Six Seconds

Elle and Matt produced an impressive performance in the final round, establishing a target of 20 for Mark Labbett to chase.

The Beast began working through the questions, gradually closing the gap as the clock ticked down.

Despite the contestants’ strong showing, the outcome remained uncertain until the very end.

With just six seconds remaining, Labbett appeared close to completing his pursuit.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

Walsh asked a question about the culinary abbreviation SOS, asking what the final letter represented in the phrase “Sauce on the…”

Labbett answered “steak”.

It was incorrect.

Walsh immediately stopped the clock, reacting with astonishment as the contestants were given an opportunity to capitalise on the mistake.

Matt supplied the correct answer, “side”, earning a pushback that increased the number of questions The Beast still needed to answer.

The host could barely contain his excitement.

“Yesss it is. Oh my goodness — two to catch,” he exclaimed.

With the remaining seconds disappearing, Labbett could not recover.

He failed to complete the chase before the clock ran out and shouted “Damn” as he realised he had lost.

Bradley Walsh Announces £13,000 Victory

The conclusion was so close that Elle and Matt initially appeared uncertain whether they had actually won.

Walsh turned towards the pair and confirmed the result.

“You have won £13,000!” he announced.

The dramatic finish left the presenter visibly delighted by the quality of the contest.

“What a match that was unbelievable! Wow. Wasn’t that great?” he said.

Walsh went on to praise the show itself, telling those in the studio that he had thoroughly enjoyed the extraordinary game.

For Elle and Matt, the victory meant sharing the £13,000 prize fund after surviving a final pursuit that had looked dangerously close to ending in defeat.

For Labbett, one incorrect answer at a crucial moment proved decisive.

Viewers Praise One of the Most Exciting Endings

The tense conclusion quickly sparked enthusiastic reactions from viewers watching at home.

Many said they had been gripped by the final chase, particularly as the result remained uncertain until the last few seconds.

One viewer wrote: “Whew that was close!! Well done them.”

Another declared: “I was on the edge of my seat, best episode in ages.”

Others described the finish as brilliant and congratulated Elle and Matt on their hard-earned victory.

“What a final. Brilliant,” one person commented.

Another wrote: “What a chase that was!”

A further viewer celebrated the contestants’ success, saying the win was thoroughly deserved.

The enthusiastic responses reflected just how dramatic the final moments had been, with the smallest mistake making the difference between victory and defeat.

Bradley Walsh Ends the Show With a Playful Message

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After celebrating the contestants’ victory, Walsh rounded off the episode with a typically enthusiastic remark directed at viewers.

Looking towards the camera, he joked: “Listen never watch any other show, just watch this one.”

The comment provided a fitting conclusion to an episode that had delivered everything fans enjoy about The Chase: strong contestants, a formidable Chaser, unexpected mistakes and a result that remained in doubt until the final moment.

For Elle and Matt, it was an unforgettable £13,000 victory. For viewers, it was a reminder of how thrilling the ITV quiz show can become when a Final Chase goes right down to the wire.

The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV1 and ITVX.