Shaun Wallace Defends 'Dark Destroyer' Chaser Nickname Following Criticism

Shaun Wallace has defended his 'Dark Destroyer' nickname on ITV quiz show The Chase following recent criticism.

Speaking on Lorraine Kelly's chat show, lawyer Paula Rhone-Adrien said she doesn't let her children watch the start of the quiz show because of Wallace's moniker.

PA

After discussing Mel B's 'Scary Spice' title in the '90s, Paula added: "Twenty-five years on, we have a fantastic game show, a quiz show that's on, and the only person who is Black is named 'The Dark Destroyer'.

"Now, I do not let my children watch the first 10 minutes of this amazing, fantastic quiz show because I do not want my kids to hear this amazing Mastermind champion being described purely down to the colour of his skin.

"And not only is this amazing, sensitive person being described by the colour of his skin, he's called The Dark Destroyer - not The Big Brain, but The Dark Destroyer."

However, while Paula might not think it's a suitable nickname for Shaun - or an appropriate nickname for her children to hear - Shaun himself seems to have no problem with it.

On Twitter, he was asked: "Just heard a woman on Lorraine saying she won't let her child watch The Chase because it's racist due to your nickname.

"Can you clarify if you are offended by being called The Dark Destroyer?"

The 60-year-old replied: "Absolutely NOT!!!"

As if that wasn't emphatic enough, he replied to another question on the subject: "I am proud to be dark in skin who destroys his opponents intellectually."

He added that it was 'a shame' Paula doesn't let her children watch the show for this reason, and said in another tweet: "I'm not defined by the colour of my skin. I'm black who intellectually destroys contestants."

Shaun previously revealed that it was host Bradley Walsh who coined the nickname, which he wears as a badge of honour.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday in July, he said: "It was actually Bradley who started to call me The Dark Destroyer, and there was absolutely no side or sinister reason behind it.

"So no, Britain may be less PC, but guess what? I am proud to be Black.

"If ITV were to ask me, or consider changing it, then I would tell them this: 'I am proud to be Black, I am proud to be dark. I want the name to stay as it is'.

"And because of my intellect - and I destroy people because of my intellect - then so be it. That's the way I use the term The Dark Destroyer, and I am not offended. And I hope other people aren't offended either."

Topics: TV and Film, the chase

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey