The Chase delivered one of its most memorable episodes when four contestants defeated Chaser Anne Hegerty to claim the biggest prize pot in the show’s history.
Monday night’s edition saw Diane, Luca, Tim and Gayna combine their knowledge and nerves to overcome The Governess in a stunning Final Chase — walking away with £100,000 between them.
For Anne, it was a particularly painful result, as she was unable to get close enough to catch the team before time ran out.
The team couldn’t believe it as they beat the show’s Chaser (Picture: ITV)
A huge £100,000 prize fund
The record-breaking prize fund was largely built during the Cash Builder, where Gayna took a major gamble.
She opted to play for a staggering £86,000, putting the enormous sum at risk in her head-to-head against Anne.
Her gamble paid off.
The other three contestants — Diane, Luca and Tim — added a combined £14,000, taking the team’s total prize fund to £100,000.
All four then made it through to the Final Chase, where they faced Anne together.
Anne looked devoed as she didn’t even come close to beating them (Picture: ITV)
The team dominates the Final Chase
The contestants started the final with 21 steps on the board.
They were given nine opportunities to push the Chaser back, and successfully used four of them.
As the clock ran down, Anne remained 14 steps behind the team.
There was ultimately no dramatic last-second comeback.
The four contestants had built such a commanding lead that Anne simply ran out of time before she could catch them.
As the team celebrated their extraordinary victory, Anne was left holding her head in her hands.
The £100,000 prize meant each of the four contestants walked away with an impressive £25,000.
What will the winners do with the money?
After securing their share of the record prize, the contestants revealed how they planned to spend their winnings.
Gayna, who had taken the biggest gamble of the day, revealed an especially unusual plan: she wanted to go wing-walking.
Diane planned to use her £25,000 to take her family on holiday.
Tim said he intended to buy a motorhome.
Meanwhile, Luca, a medical student, had a rather more immediate plan for his winnings.
He pledged to treat himself to two takeaways every week until he graduated — including one from The Ritz.
Anne congratulated the victorious team despite her defeat.
“I hope The Ritz does do takeaways because you deserve it – you all do. Very, very well played,” she said.
“I didn’t expect to win that one to be honest. Very good indeed.”
Host Bradley Walsh was equally impressed by what the contestants had achieved.
“It just shows you, it can be done!” he declared.
With all four contestants surviving the Final Chase and £100,000 divided between them, the episode went down as a landmark moment for The Chase.
The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV1.