Bradley Walsh and Anne Hegerty found themselves fighting to keep their composure on The Chase after a question featuring an unexpectedly suggestive phrase left both struggling to contain their laughter.
The awkwardly amusing moment unfolded during an ITV episode featuring contestants Nikki, Alan, Sasha and Jeraint, who were hoping to win money by outsmarting Anne, famously known as The Governess.
However, it was not the contestants’ quiz knowledge that stole the spotlight at first. Instead, a question about a South African landmark sent Bradley and Anne into fits of barely suppressed giggles.
The Chase: Bradley and Anne struggled not to laugh (Image: ITV)
The Chase: Bradley and Anne were caught off-guard by this question (Image: ITV)
Bradley Walsh Can Barely Read the Question Without Laughing
Nikki was the first contestant to face Bradley in the cash-builder round, but she managed to accumulate just £2,000 before moving on to the head-to-head challenge against Anne.
Things took an unexpected turn when Bradley read out the question: “What gemstones are mined in Kimberley’s Big Hole?”
The possible answers were diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, but the wording immediately caught the attention of the presenter and the Chaser.
As Bradley read through the options, his voice began to crack as he struggled to maintain his usual quizmaster composure. Anne was equally amused, finding it difficult to suppress her laughter.
The Chase: Anne tried her best to keep composure (Image: ITV)
Recognising the double meaning that viewers might attach to the phrase, Bradley could not resist adding a cheeky remark.
“Poor old Kimberley, that’s all I can say,” he joked.
The comment only added to the amusement, with Nikki and Anne also appreciating the unintended innuendo.
Anne eventually managed to regain her composure and reminded Bradley that Kimberley’s Big Hole was a real place in South Africa.
The landmark is associated with the country’s diamond-mining history, making the question entirely legitimate despite its amusing wording.
The Chase Viewers Join in the Laughter
The moment did not go unnoticed by viewers watching at home, with several taking to Twitter, now known as X, to share their reactions.
One viewer joked: “Kimberley’s Big Hole … another question written for Bradley 😂 #TheChase.”
Another declared it the winning moment of the episode, writing: “Today’s winner. Kimberly’s Big Hole #TheChase.”
A third viewer joined the conversation with the comment: “Kimberleys big hole ya what #TheChase,” while another simply reacted to the wording with a rolling-eyes emoji.
The exchange provided a brief moment of light-hearted entertainment before the quiz returned to its usual competitive format.
Anne Hegerty Sends Contestants Packing
Despite the laughter, Nikki’s time on the show ended in disappointment when Anne caught her during the head-to-head round, preventing her from reaching the Final Chase.
Jeraint, the second contestant to take on the Chaser, suffered the same fate. The professional poker player was unable to make it through to the final stage.
Student Sasha managed to raise £2,000 in her cash-builder round but accepted a lower offer of £1,000 to improve her chances of getting past Anne.
Alan also accumulated £2,000 before choosing the lower offer of £1,000.
With Sasha and Alan the remaining contestants, Anne made her feelings about the team’s performance clear.
“This really is a sad little team,” she remarked as she continued her pursuit of the players.
The pair still had to contend with the formidable Chaser, whose quiz knowledge has made her one of the programme’s most recognisable figures.
Although Bradley and Anne briefly struggled to keep the show on track, the laughter surrounding Kimberley’s Big Hole proved to be one of the episode’s most memorable moments.
The Chase airs on weekdays at 5pm on ITV.