‘It's fun but surreal!'

Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis on breaking records as the latest Chaser to join the pack...

- STEVEN PERKINS

THE CHASE

MONDAY-FRIDAY / ITV / 5PM / GAME SHOW

There’s no better welcome to an established show than setting a ratings record.

So Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis was understandably chuffed when his debut as a Chaser last November attracted the highest-ever number of viewers in The Chase’s 11-year history.

‘That was great!’ says Dublin-born Darragh, 40, a research neuroscientist at the University of Oxford. ‘I sort of rubbed it in the others’ faces when it was so high!

‘But the producers are very clever in how they market the show. They built up my appearance for a long time – people were nearly feverish trying to work out when I’d appear!’

Since then, Darragh has proven himself a more-than-worthy rival for the contestants, so TV Times thought it was time to put him in our hot seat! Here, in an exclusive interview, Darragh tells us about his first day on set, his Chaser nickname, and the joy of beekeeping…