September 18th 2024.
Ian Manly's experience on The Chase was a life-changing one, to say the least. The 65-year-old magician from Middlesex had no intention of joining any exclusive club, but fate had other plans for him. He had signed up for the popular ITV game show with a simple goal in mind - to have a nice day out and meet the charming host, Bradley Walsh. However, little did he know that his gameplay would not only earn him a win, but also a spot in the record books.
Ian's journey on The Chase was nothing short of remarkable. Along with his teammate Karen, a science and maths tutor, he made history by securing the largest sum of money won by two players on the show. "I went on there for a great experience and a nice day out," Ian humbly shared. "The money wasn't something I considered because having watched it for years, I know it's rare for anybody to take home a big amount." According to a data scientist, only 24% of contestants actually win the jackpot, with the last £100,000 being won in 2018.
Ian never expected to win, but he was more than happy when he did. "I'd have had a wonderful time, even if I hadn't won," he said. "But now, I'm more than happy." The shock of winning such a huge amount of money was still sinking in for Ian, who had to awkwardly walk past the contestants who were knocked out before the final round, before heading to the store to buy a pint of milk. "I just stood there in the middle of the store, staring at the rows of shelves. I couldn't wrap my head around how I had £50,000 that I didn't have the day before. It was surreal," he recalled.
With the money safely deposited in his bank account a few weeks later, Ian wasted no time in spending the "life-changing" sum. He went on a holiday to Turkey and is now on the lookout for the perfect car to splurge on. However, with newfound wealth comes new responsibilities, as Ian's friends expect him to pick up more rounds at the pub and he has received numerous friend requests on Facebook.
But Ian hasn't forgotten the person who made it all possible - Karen, who put £94,000 into the communal pot. Despite the rules stating that the winnings are equally split between all players, Ian feels no guilt in taking his share. "It's just the game. That's the way it is, and we wouldn't have won the final chase without each other," he explained. Although they haven't spoken since leaving the studio, Ian hopes to one day find Karen's email address and thank her for her contribution.
Before he became a contestant, Ian was a big fan of The Chase and would often play along while watching the show. He decided to apply after being encouraged by a friend who had previously participated. After making it through the application process, he was granted a spot and started practicing by playing along with the show. He even did some specific revision on Henry VIII's wives, but unfortunately, it didn't come in handy during the game.
Ian's win with Karen put them in the company of The Chase's biggest winners, including Bryan, Laura, and Julia who won £120,000 in 2023, Gayna, Tim, Luca, and Diane who won £100,000, and Dan who won £80,000 without any teammates. Despite the thrill of winning, Ian revealed that the final chase is just as intense as it looks on TV, and the pressure is amplified when playing as a team.
As a superfan of The Chase, Ian made sure to take note of everything that goes on behind the scenes, from the mundane to the starry. He shared some interesting tidbits, such as contestants being given complimentary water bottles but not being allowed to drink from them on air, and having to remove their watches so they don't know the time during the game. He also had the opportunity to chat with Bradley Walsh, who was just as friendly off-screen as he is on-screen. "He told me he loved my joke," Ian proudly recalled. "My car is my baby. It never goes anywhere without a rattle." Bradley even gave him permission to call him "Brad" because "Bradley" is too formal.
After his unforgettable experience on The Chase, Ian has one piece of advice for anyone considering applying - "Just do it!" The popular game show, which recently celebrated 15 years on TV, continues to attract millions of viewers with its thrilling final chase. Tune in to ITV1 at 5:00pm on weekdays to watch The Chase and see if you have what it takes to beat the chasers.
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