A contestant on The Chase found himself at the centre of an unexpected joke from Bradley Walsh after his impressive performance — and his unusually large moustache — caught the host’s attention.
Billy, a 32-year-old senior marketing officer from Doncaster, appeared to be handling the pressure well after building a £5,000 cash builder and keeping ahead of Darragh “The Menace” Ennis.
But while Billy’s quiz skills were clearly making an impression, it was his distinctive thick, dark moustache that gave Bradley the perfect opportunity for a joke.
Bradley Walsh’s “cheating” accusation
As Billy continued through the game, Bradley suggested that the contestant might have found a rather creative way to hide the answers.
“The producers want me to have a word with you,” Bradley joked. “They think you’re cheating and you have the answers written under your tache.”
Billy immediately played along with the gag.
“Yep, they’re right there. I’ve been foiled,” he replied.
His response prompted laughter from the studio, while viewers at home also quickly picked up on the joke.
Billy’s facial hair became one of the most talked-about aspects of his appearance, with fans taking to social media to share their reactions.
One viewer joked: “I think the team should get four head starts due to Billy’s moustache.”
Another praised both the contestant and his impressive facial hair, writing: “That fella was nearly as impressive as his moustache to be fair.”
A third viewer compared Billy’s look to a younger version of Tom Hanks, writing: “If Tom Hanks had a 70s pornstar moustache, Billy.”
Billy’s team ultimately falls short
Despite Billy’s strong start, his team was unable to complete the Final Chase successfully.
They reached the final with 13 points, but Darragh managed to catch them with 50 seconds still remaining on the clock.
That brought their run to an end and left the contestants without the prize money.
Billy’s appearance nevertheless gave viewers plenty to talk about, particularly his exchange with Bradley and the unusual moustache that had become an unexpected star of the episode.
A record-breaking win remembered by fans
The episode also prompted some viewers to recall one of The Chase’s most memorable previous victories, involving contestants Karen and Ian.
On that occasion, Bradley was delighted to see the pair reach the Final Chase with a major jackpot at stake.
Ian, a magician from Middlesex, contributed £6,000 to the team’s prize fund.
He was later joined by Karen, a maths and science tutor from Macclesfield, who took a major risk by accepting a high offer of £94,000.
The decision meant Karen had to move one additional step away from home, leaving her facing an extra question compared with the safer position she could have taken by sticking with her initial cash-builder amount, as Ian had done.
Her gamble ultimately paid off.
Karen successfully added £94,000 to Ian’s £6,000, taking their combined total to £100,000.
Under the show’s rules, the winnings were divided equally between the two contestants, giving Karen and Ian £50,000 each.
The result became the largest amount ever won by a pair of contestants on The Chase.