ITV The Chase's backstage secrets - from 'faked' shots to strict dress codes

The Chase first appeared on ITV back in 2009 and has been a much-loved staple of British television ever since. Hosted by Bradley Walsh, hundreds of contestants have appeared on the quiz show over the years, with them all being ever hopeful to go home slightly richer after beating one of the six Chasers.

Players bravely go head to head with quizzing legends , Shaun Wallace, , Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. While many of the hopeful contestants want to win money, others go on the show to get the behind the scenes experience, with many later showing what the is really like when the cameras aren't rolling.

'Fake' reactions

A contestant who took part back in 2022 shared that not all reactions may be completely genuine, with show bosses wanted some to be re-shot. Taking to to share their experience, the former player explained: "Two-time game show contestant here (Millionaire and The Chase).

"What both shows have in common is that they often had me re-shoot reaction shots because of poor camera angles or host miscues. So, when I inevitably got a question wrong, my stupid pouty face and 'aw shucks' response was quite possibly a result of five or six 'okay, let's try that again...'"

He continued: 'I never actually said, aw shucks for the record. It was more of a guttural sound, like when you put your hand on an electric stove without realise it had been turned on by the previous occupant of the Marriott Hotel room they put you up in."

Struggles with the set

Hannah Cowton, who took part in the ITV show back in 2019, shared that she struggled to get comfortable for filming as she highlighted one major issue with the set. Taking to her blog Hannah penned: "Those stools were hard to balance on. I kept getting scared that I would topple off it in excitement."

Another player commented on the size of the set, saying: "It was really weird because there's no audience, so it's really quiet and the studio is much smaller than it seems on the telly."

Strict rules, including a dress code

A 2015 contestant, Marco Spiro, shared a number of rules that the players must following - including very early arrival times and strict rules about what they can and cannot wear.

He explained: "They choose what you wear." The contestant added that he was told not to wear any branded clothes and asked to bring three shirts and three pairs of trousers. "You give them to their personal dresser, and they pick what you actually wear," he shared.

Meanwhile, Rachel Warwick from Hampshire, who competed on the programme in October 2020, said that contestants have to get themselves ready. Taking to , she said that contestants are expected to do their own hair and make-up, which is "touched up" by the team throughout the day.

She added: "You bring five outfits with you that you're happy to wear and then the costume department pick the best one and make sure nobody is clashing. They decide what you wear."