Bradley Walsh and Anne Hegerty were left fighting back laughter on The Chase after an innocent geography question took on an unexpectedly suggestive meaning.
The ITV quiz show host was presenting Monday’s edition as contestants Nikki, Alan, Sasha and Jeraint attempted to build up enough money to take on Anne, known as “The Governess,” in the Final Chase.
But during Nikki’s cash-builder, it was not her performance that caught viewers’ attention. Instead, Bradley found himself struggling to read one particular question without laughing.
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)
‘Kimberley’s Big Hole’ leaves Bradley in hysterics
Nikki had managed to build a £2,000 total before facing Anne, who was determined to prevent the team from reaching the final stage.
Then came the question that caused the studio to lose its composure.
Bradley asked Nikki: “What gemstones are mined in Kimberley’s Big Hole?”
The possible answers were Diamonds, Emeralds and Sapphires.
As Bradley read through the choices, his voice began to crack with laughter. Anne was also visibly struggling to maintain her composure as the wording of the question became increasingly amusing.
Bradley eventually gave in to the joke.
“Poor old Kimberley, that’s all I can say,” he quipped.
The comment only prompted more laughter from Anne and Nikki.
Once she had recovered, Anne explained that Kimberley’s Big Hole was actually a location in South Africa, putting the question back into its proper geographical context.
The Chase: Anne tried her best to keep composure (Image: ITV)
Viewers quickly joined in
The unusual wording did not go unnoticed by viewers watching at home.
Several took to Twitter to share their amusement, with one fan joking that “Kimberley’s Big Hole” was another question seemingly written specifically for Bradley.
Another viewer simply called the question the “winner” of the day, while others continued to make jokes about the phrase.
The moment provided a brief comedic break during what otherwise proved to be a difficult game for Nikki and the rest of the contestants.
Anne proves too strong for the contestants
Once the laughter had subsided, the quiz continued — but things did not improve for Nikki.
After managing to bank £2,000 in her cash-builder, she faced Anne at the table but was ultimately caught by the Chaser before she could make it through to the Final Chase.
Professional poker player Jeraint suffered the same fate when he later took on Anne.
Student Sasha managed to survive, but only after accepting Anne’s low offer of £1,000 despite having built £2,000 in her cash-builder.
Alan also accumulated £2,000 and similarly chose to take the lower £1,000 offer.
With two contestants remaining, Anne delivered a brutal assessment of the team.
“This really is a sad little team,” she remarked as she successfully put down the remaining players.
Despite the difficult quiz, Bradley’s struggle to keep a straight face over the unexpectedly suggestive wording became one of the episode’s most memorable moments.
The Chase continues weekdays at 5pm on ITV.