Sceptical The Chase fans branded new show a ‘rip off’ but I’m hopeful there’ll be another series, says Shaun Wallace

THE Chase’s Shaun Wallace has revealed he is hopeful ITV will commission a second series of spin-off Chase Around the World. The big budget show, which hides all six chasers in foreign destinations as six teams set about tracking them down to win £100,000, has divided opinion. Chase Around the World has divided opinion but Shaun Wallace is hopeful it will return Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Shaun says he plays as if it’s his own money at stake Credit: ITV Eyebrows were initially raised by some who felt it was a little too close to the BBC’s adventure gameshow Race Across The World in which pairs plot the quickest way from one location to another while balancing a tight budget. But Shaun, 66, believes fans have been won round after getting used to the new format. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! He exclusively told The Sun: “Initially, people were very, very sceptical saying that we’re trying to rip off a format and some people turned off. But I think as the series has progressed, people have warmed to it. “Because what you basically see is the marrying of the two mediums, people trying to solve puzzles and solve clues, which is sort of a quiz from a quizzing perspective. And those who are finishing the bottom two come up against the chasers. So I think it’s worked really, really well. “And the viewing figures have sort of reflected that fact. And the ITV commissioners seem to like it. And hopefully, we’ll get another series.” The first series, which is on air now, is set in Europe with stunning destinations like Rome, Barcelona, Zurich and Athens providing a pretty backdrop. If the programme is recommissioned, Shaun would like to see it go even further afield. “I think I’ll suggest that we go to another continent, like North America, to Canada, United States and Mexico,” he said, speaking on behalf of Gambling.com. Most read in Showbiz “The reception has been really good. I mean, people have come up to me. They like it. They do appreciate it. Obviously, the initial first show, people were sort of, you know, ‘what’s this?’ And the feedback wasn’t that great on social media. “But it’s changed. The perception has changed. And that’s reflected in the viewing figures.” Shaun insists he’s just as in the dark as those at home as to who wins the programme and purposely wanted to watch along as a fan. But what he does know is that the chasers didn’t dumb themselves down in the head to head battles with contestants. There were ‘fix’ claims earlier this month when pairing Nikita and Ashwin defeated Mark Labbett and Jenny Ryan, despite the brainy duo needing just 10 correct answers in one minute and six seconds. However, Shaun points to his own flawless record as proof he’s playing to win. He said: “I’ve seen some comments of people saying, ‘oh, the chasers aren’t going full tilt at this. They’re kind of going easy on some of the pairings’. No, no. And I’ll tell you the reason why. “We can only answer questions if we know the answer. I actually haven’t got a question wrong. Both myself and Anne didn’t answer a single question incorrectly when we were asked to take part in the final chase. “So no, I disagree. As professional quizzers, we want to win all the time. We want to make it easier for ourselves. “I don’t want to be giving anybody anything. I treat the prize money offer on a chase as if it’s my own. “I don’t want to give that away to anybody.” Shaun Wallace was speaking courtesy of Gambling.com, where he works as the Head of Smarter Gambling. Comment now