The Chase’s Anne Hegerty reveals how much she really earns from role on the ITV show
THE Chase’s Anne Hegerty reveals how much she really earns from her role on the ITV quiz show.
The TV personality, 66, known as The Governess joined fan favourite The Chase in 2010.
However, Anne revealed that despite the popularity of the quiz show, none of the chasers are paid a set salary.
In a recent chat with The Mirror at the TV Choice Awards on Monday, Anne explained that she and the other chasers wouldn't want a new addition to the team.
When asked whether a new chaser might join the show in the future, she replied: 'Well, we do always hope not.'
She continued: 'We are paid per show, so we're not on a salary. It's not as if they're going to up the budget and add a new salary.'
The Chasers
'A new chaser would just mean the same number of shows shared between more people - so less money for everyone. So, hope not!'
Though Anne clarified that she holds no ill will toward Darragh Ennis, who joined the show in 2020.
She explained that despite their competitive spirit the Chasers do get on and spend time together when they have the chance.
“We know each other, and certainly on Beat the Chasers we tend to hang out a lot, because we’re all there at the same time,” she said.
Despite not having a guaranteed salary from The Chase, Anne's business, Frosty Knickers Ltd, reported over £807,000 in revenue as of August 2023.
However, Anne has said she's not a big spender and that she doesn't like spending money.
“I'm half Scottish. We don't spend money and, being a fat person, I can only buy from certain places,” she joked.
“I like my money sitting in my bank and representing a bit of security. I don’t see the point in sloshing money around. I’m not frugal, I’d actually say I’m mean.”
She also shared that she once relied on benefits while working as a journalist before her time on The Chase.
However, Anne does indulge in a few luxuries and she splits her time between homes in Manchester and Watford, making her work with The Chase more convenient.
The Chase's best moments
The Chase has been entertaining ITV viewers for years, here are some of the show's most memorable moments...
Bradley Walsh can't stop laughing
- Every time host Bradley Walsh erupts into fits of laughter on The Chase it makes for pretty entertaining TV. One particularly memorable occasion was when he was asking the question 'The title of which Elvis Presley song was engraved of the inside of Freddie Star's coffin?" As usual the contestant was given four multiple choices but Bradley could get through reading them out before bursting into hysterics. Seeming the idea of the song being option 'B: Way Down' was too much for the presenter to handle.
The Double Trouble special
- To celebrate 15 years of The Chase on screens, ITV launched a special 'double trouble' episode where contestants faced off against not one but two of the show's beloved Chasers. And despite the odds, the contestants managed to go home with some cash!
The contestants with famous names
- Eagle-eyed ITV fans are always quick to spot interesting and sometimes hidden details on the quiz show - but there have been a few times where the names of some contestants have been overtly obvious. For example, one 2017 episode of the quiz show saw Bradley welcome four contestants who were named after Friends characters Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey. Another group of contestants with named from The Simpsons were also grouped together in another episode, much to viewers' amusement.
The Beast's anger gets the best of him
- During an episode from the 2024 season, Mark Labbett let out his inner beast as he exploded in a fit of anger. Close to losing the competition in the Final Chase, Mark then made a silly mistake and incorrectly answered the question, “Rabbit was a 1980 hit for which Cockney duo?” “Oh, you idiot!” he yelled at himself while slamming the table in front of him. With seconds left on the clock, the Chaser then admitted defeat, moaning "I don't deserve to win."
Anne also admitted that she flies first class or business when going away, and will treat herself to ‘Club Med’ when jetting abroad for quizzes.
Known for her prim, starchy suit on the show – Anne revealed that she would have liked to appear in rubber and fishnets instead.
In an exclusive interview to mark 15 years of the popular ITV quiz, she said: “I’m sure there must be some people who see me as a ‘dominatrix’ and I quite like the idea!
“I hate my costume, it’s an open secret.
“Honestly, if I’d had my way I would have been wearing a lot of rubber and fishnet tights, high heels and a wig. Wouldn’t that be good?”.
Anne also has a host of celebrity fans including Robbie Williams.
“I met Robbie Williams at a party a few years ago, I got a selfie and we were chatting away, discussing that we both find parties kind of stressful, and we were talking about ways of dealing with it.
“You know Stormzy is a fan? Not just of The Chase but of me.
“Jonathan Ross decided to get Stormzy on his show and also Bradley, then I came out in costume and Stormzy and I played a quiz game.”
Anne does have a celebrity crush — but will never reveal who.
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She said with a laugh: “There are people I fancy, I’m not made of stone, but there is absolutely no way I’m going to admit to any name.”
The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1.