{"id":377183,"date":"2026-04-13T10:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/377183\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:35:09","slug":"itv-forced-to-address-the-chase-claims-as-bradley-walsh-tipped-for-bbc-strictly-gig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/377183\/","title":{"rendered":"ITV forced to address The Chase claims as Bradley Walsh tipped for BBC Strictly gig"},"content":{"rendered":"

ITV has been forced to address speculation surrounding the future of The Chase following reports that production on the long-running quiz show has been suspended as part of cost-cutting measures. <\/p>\n

The broadcaster confirmed that the nineteenth series has completed filming, marking the end of this year\u2019s recording schedule.<\/p>\n

According to reports in The Sun, no further episodes will be filmed until 2027, with the programme allegedly paused amid wider budget constraints.<\/p>\n

However, ITV moved to reassure viewers that the show remains a core part of its schedule.<\/p>\n

\"BradleyBradley Walsh has emerged as a frontrunner for the Strictly vacancy | PA<\/p>\n

A spokesman told The Mirror: \u201cITV continue to air The Chase as usual, with a combination of new and repeat episodes across the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The quiz show, which launched in 2009, has been a staple of ITV\u2019s daytime lineup for over a decade.<\/p>\n

Reports of a pause have sparked concern among those working on the programme.<\/p>\n

An insider claimed the decision was only recently communicated to the team of Chasers, including Mark \u201cThe Beast\u201d Labbett and Anne \u201cThe Governess\u201d Hegerty.<\/p>\n

\"Bradley<\/p>\n

ITV confirmed that the nineteenth series of The Chase has completed filming<\/p>\n

| ITV<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been quite a shock and very disappointing,\u201d a source told The Sun. <\/p>\n

\u201cMany crew members feel worried and scared for the future during an uncertain time in TV.\u201d<\/p>\n

The source added that some staff are concerned about reduced income during the reported hiatus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shame as the show has survived for 17 years and remains one of the most popular quiz shows on telly,” they said. <\/p>\n

\"BradleyBradley and Barney Walsh present Gladiators on BBC | BBC <\/p>\n

“It\u2019s won countless awards and is much loved.”<\/p>\n

Despite the uncertainty, ITV emphasised the programme\u2019s continued success, noting that The Chase attracts more than 2.5 million viewers per episode.<\/p>\n

The broadcaster also confirmed that new content is in development, with a fresh series of Beat the Chasers set to air in 2026, alongside a new spin-off titled The Chase Around the World.<\/p>\n

The speculation comes amid growing rumours linking host Bradley Walsh to a major new role on the BBC.<\/p>\n

The 64-year-old presenter, who has fronted The Chase since its debut, has emerged as a frontrunner to take on a presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing following reported departures.<\/p>\n

Main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman officially left Strictly Come Dancing in December 2025.<\/p>\n

Their final appearance was for the show’s Christmas Special on December 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

Mr Walsh previously described the role as a \u201cgreat gig\u201d, fuelling speculation he could make the switch.<\/p>\n

\"Bradley<\/p>\n

The quiz show, which launched in 2009, has been a staple of ITV\u2019s daytime lineup for over a decade<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

ITV The Chase<\/p>\n

However, he has since played down the possibility, suggesting the commitment would clash with his personal routine.<\/p>\n

He told Radio Times: \u201cIf I was to host Strictly, it would absolutely ruin my weekend.”<\/p>\n

He went on to explain he prefers to spend winter evenings watching football, I\u2019m a Celebrity\u2026 Get Me Out of Here! and Strictly at home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ITV has been forced to address speculation surrounding the future of The Chase following reports that production on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":377184,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[2974,430,3623,156,7386,111,139,69,6156],"class_list":{"0":"post-377183","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-bbc","9":"tag-celebrities","10":"tag-celebrity","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-itv","13":"tag-new-zealand","14":"tag-newzealand","15":"tag-nz","16":"tag-strictly-come-dancing"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/377184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}