Mark Labbett Breaks Silence Over New Chaser's Behaviour After Anne Hegerty Was Replaced On Show

Chaser Mark Labbett has broken his silence on Anne Hegerty's replacement on Beat The Chasers.

Hegerty, known by fans of the show as 'The Governess', was forced to stop recording the series after contracting Covid-19.

She took to Twitter to announce the unfortunate news, writing: "Unfortunately I’ve contracted Covid-19 so won’t be filming this series of #BeatTheChasers. The fantastic @Issa25 will be stepping in for me and I’m looking forward to watching the series when it’s on-air later this year.

"I feel fine, but I'm still positive! (in all respects)."

Unfortunately I’ve contracted Covid-19 so won’t be filming this series of #BeatTheChasers. The fantastic @Issa25 will be stepping in for me and I’m looking forward to watching the series when it’s on air later this year. I feel fine, but I'm still positive! (in all respects)

— Anne Hegerty (@anne_hegerty) March 17, 2022

As stated in her tweet, she has been replaced by Issa 'The Supernerd' Schultz, who stars on the Australian version of the show. He has won eight Australian Quizzing Championships and even competed on the Aussie version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Seems like the perfect candidate for The Chase to us!

The impressive quizzer made his debut on the UK's Beat The Chasers earlier this week on 16 May and sitting in the hot seat, Issa proved he was a worthy opponent.

But just in case he seemed a little quieter than his predecessor, which is what some viewers noticed from his debut, his fellow Chaser, Mark 'The Beast' Labbett was quick to reassure fans.

Taking to Twitter, Labbett tweeted: "In case you think @Issa25 is quiet, he got off the plane from Australia a few hours before we recorded this #jetlag #BeatTheChasers."

In case you think @Issa25 is quiet, he got off the plane from Australia a few hours before we recorded this #jetlag #BeatTheChasers

— Mark Labbett (@MarkLabbett) May 16, 2022

Fans of the popular quiz show were quick to respond to Labbett having his new colleague's back and show support to the new Chaser, with one saying: "Aww bless u Issa come this far and recording starts at least u had a great time with the others."

Another user then said: "thought he came across really well! Lovely Sweet Guy. Fits in well! Can’t wait to see more of him over this week :) WTG Issa x."

Is that why he wasn't selected alot today? To give him some time to settle in?

— B. Grayson (@bagrayson) May 17, 2022

Another added: "Is that why he wasn't selected alot today? To give him some time to settle in?" while a third chimed in saying: "I'd love to have a ball fight with Issa in a giant ball pit - he seems like so much fun."

You can watch last night's episode of the chase on ITV Hub, with episodes from the series airing every night at 9pm until Friday, 20 May.