The Chase returned to screens tonight, but viewers were unimpressed during “shameful” scenes

Bradley Walsh welcomed four new contestants onto The Chase—Fran from London, Lynsey from Truro, Donald from Edinburgh, and Josh from Mill Hill. They came together hoping to take on a Chaser as a team and leave with thousands of pounds on Tuesday night’s episode (November 26).

However, the foursome left empty-handed sparking a flurry of complaints from viewers just minutes into the ITV quiz show as they spotted a key problem with the show’s format.

As the contestants faced Anne Hegerty, otherwise known as The Governess, only Fran and Lynsey safely made it back for the final chase, bringing their total to £7k.

However, Donald was caught by the quizmaster while the final contestant, Josh, committed the ultimate sin.

During the cash builder round, he secured £5k, but when he went head-to-head with Anne, he opted to play for the low offer of minus £1k.

The Chase viewers issued the same complaint (Image: ITV)

Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the show contestants for consistently picking the low offer, saying it should be scrapped from the show altogether, while others pleaded with show bosses to make changes.

One fumed: “FFS. It’s just getting boring now. Shake the episodes up @ITV so it’s not the same every day as it’s getting to the stage where it’s not exactly exciting to watch. Time to switch over [yawn emoji] #TheChase.”

Another tweeted: “Make it so each player wins what they put in the pot. If you take a minus, you win nothing!! Stop taking low offers!! #TheChase.”

A third vented: “#thechase @ITVChase Time to cancel the show for good after this series. This consistent lower offer taking is absolutely disgusting, embarrassing and shameful and is completely destroying the show.”

The Chase star Anne Hegerty offered Josh a high offer of £60k (Image: ITV)

The Chase viewers hit out at contestant Josh taking the minus offer (Image: ITV)

Another raged: I’m f******g done with all this low-offer tonight. Please do one until tomorrow #TheChase.”

“Me checking the comments after the low offer was taken #thechase,” a social media user remarked. While a fifth complained: “This is becoming ridiculous and boring now. Why go to all that trouble to get on the show to win the smallest amount possible #TheChase.”

Even Mark Labbett weighed in on the discourse as The Beast addressed viewers concerns over taking the low offer.

He tweeted: “Will never blame a weak player for going low. It is the good player going low or middle who does way more damage imo [in my opinion] #thechase.”(sic)

A viewer replied: “It’s just plain boring and ridiculous. Need to get rid of the lower offer. Take what you earn or go high. The programme needs a shake up. If they want to win peanuts then go on Pointless.”

Another moaned: “Mark, it makes for tedious viewing. Too many going low in this series when they clearly don’t need to #TheChase.”

Mark assured: “Just need some high powered teams, they are on the way.”