Anne Hegerty has denied accusations that she cheats on The Chase, insisting that there is “nothing secret going on” on the ITV quiz programme.
The former I’m A Celebrity campmate, 65, has starred on the popular programme as chaser The Governess since 2010, with Paul Sinha and Mark Labbett.
However, she has confessed that she has been accused of ‘all sorts of stuff’ over the years, including wearing an earpiece and that Bradley, 63, is somehow affecting the outcome of the programme.
The TV personality, who also appears on the Australian version of The Chase, dismissed the charges, adding that the ITV show is also judged by ‘independent adjudicators.’
She explained: ‘I get people saying all sorts of things. They ask me if I cheat. They say, “You’ve got someone in your ears telling you the answers.”
‘Others say Bradley reads the questions faster for the Chasers. I’ve checked with a stopwatch and he doesn’t do that. If the show did any of that, wouldn’t they get six better-looking people?
Anne continued to the Daily Star: ‘There are always going to be cynical people, but we have independent adjudicators – there’s nothing secret happening. It wouldn’t work if it wasn’t all above board.’
In 2021, Anne did, however, jokingly accuse Bradley of cheating and assisting a contender.
The question had been: ‘A 2018 set of stamps featuring which London palace depicts the Pond Gardens, Great Fountain Gardens and Maze?’
Anne argued Bradley overemphasised the term labyrinth as a hint to the player, despite the fact that the right answer, Hampton Court Palace, had one.
‘I love extremely the subtle way you went MAZE,’ Anne told Bradley. ‘Just to make sure she knew it.’
Bradley protested: ‘I didn’t do that! I didn’t do that, I do not do that, I didn’t do that did I? Did you hear me do that?’
However, he then made light of the situation and exaggerated remarks for the rest of the game.
Anne previously stated at the National Television Awards that she had no plans to leave The Chase.
She said: ‘I’ve always said I’m with the show until it gets cancelled. At the Baftas, this turned into “until I get cancelled”. I actually meant until they stop commissioning the show. But I have no plans of leaving anywhere.’
Anne also stated that she could not see Bradley stepping down as host and that she could not conceive of a suitable alternative.
She said: ‘I’ve sometimes had conversations with Mark when he says, “If Bradley leaves, who else do you think could do it?” And I’m like, “No no no, I can’t hear you.”
‘I will not entertain that thought. But who knows. I suppose I can think of a couple of people, but it wouldn’t be the same without Brad.’
The Chase airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX at 5pm.
Source My Celebrity Life.