Bradley Walsh has spent more than a decade at the helm of The Chase, becoming one of the show’s most recognizable faces. But even an experienced presenter can occasionally stumble over a word — so what happens behind the scenes when he gets something wrong?
Former contestant Dorinda offered a rare glimpse into the show’s backstage protocol, explaining that there is an independent adjudicator in the studio specifically to deal with any significant errors that could affect the game.
The Chase: Former contestant reveals backstage protocol when Bradley Walsh makes an error (Image: ITV)
Bradley Walsh Doesn’t See the Questions in Advance
Dorinda, who appeared on The Chase and went on to win £6,500 alongside each of her three teammates, said she was particularly impressed by how quickly Bradley handles the questions.
According to the former contestant, Bradley does not rehearse the questions immediately before filming. Instead, he has to read them as they come up during the Cash Builder.
That can occasionally be challenging, particularly when a question contains a complicated sentence or difficult wording.
But Dorinda said Bradley’s ability to keep the game moving was one of the things that impressed her most.
“He’s not seen the question before and he can just read through them very quickly,” she explained.
The Chase: Dorinda won £6,500 (Image: ITV)
The Chase: Bradley rarely makes an error (Image: ITV)
There Is an Independent Adjudicator on Set
So what happens if Bradley actually makes a serious mistake?
Dorinda revealed that the production has a system in place to make sure any major error is handled fairly.
“There is an independent adjudicator in the studio,” she said, explaining that if something went “majorly wrong,” the filming could be stopped so the issue could be addressed and the timing checked.
“There is somebody there if that eventuality happens,” Dorinda added.
However, she stressed that she did not expect such situations to occur very often.
Having watched Bradley perform the job at close range, she was clearly impressed by how effortlessly he could read unfamiliar questions at speed and immediately deliver the correct response when required.
“[Bradley’s] done it for so long, it’s incredible,” she said.
Facing the Chaser Was Nerve-Racking
Dorinda’s own experience on the programme was considerably more nerve-racking.
During her appearance, she faced Jenny Ryan, better known to viewers as “The Vixen.”
Although watching The Chase at home can make the set look intimidating, Dorinda said the physical distance between contestants and the Chaser actually made the experience slightly less daunting than she had expected.
“When you see on TV, that board in front of you and you’re looking up at the Chaser, there’s a bit of distance between you,” she explained.
That distance, she said, meant the encounter was “not quite as intimidating” as she had imagined.
What Did Dorinda Do With Her Winnings?
After leaving the show with £6,500, Dorinda already had plans for how to spend some of her winnings.
She was hoping to put the money toward a photography trip to Tanzania.
Away from television quiz shows, Dorinda is also a self-published author with three books to her name.
Her most successful work was published in 2012 and is titled Heron Field.
The Story Behind Heron Field
Dorinda described the novel as a Second World War story centered around a manor house that has been converted into a convalescent home.
The book follows a number of characters connected to the Special Operations Executive, or SOE, who work behind enemy lines in France.
But Dorinda said the story is about more than the war itself.
“It’s about the war for them and also the interaction between people,” she explained.
Her experience on The Chase therefore proved to be just one memorable chapter in a life that also includes writing and photography.
Bradley Has Had to Apologise on Air Before
While Dorinda said serious errors involving Bradley are unlikely, viewers have occasionally seen the presenter lose his footing during an episode.
During a previous Cash Builder round, a contestant named Martin became confused while giving an answer.
Bradley seized the opportunity to joke about the situation, but the presenter subsequently realised he had perhaps gone a little too far and apologised to the contestant.
It was another reminder that, although The Chase is carefully produced and overseen by an independent adjudicator, much of the show’s appeal comes from the spontaneous moments that happen between Bradley, the contestants and the Chasers.
And after more than ten years of asking questions at remarkable speed, Dorinda’s verdict on Bradley was clear: his ability to keep everything moving without missing a beat is seriously impressive.
The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV.