The Chase star sparks concern over show and admits cast are 'worried' about future
The Chase star Anne Hegerty revealed the hit ITV show has been hit by budget cuts, leaving the cast concerned.
Anne Hegerty shared her concern for the future of The Chase as she revealed the series has been hit by budget cuts.
The ITV programme has been a staple on the channel since 2009, however, bosses have reportedly been forced to cut the number of episodes being filmed in 2025 due to finances.
Anne, 66, who has been a chaser on the show since 2010, opened up about the cuts and how streaming services are impacting the series. She told Daily Star: "We have plans for next year and we are doing fewer shows. All the streaming services are carrying adverts now."
The Governess continued: "So channels like ITV are having to compete for advertising money. It means there is less money from adverts. We are still coming off the tail end of a pandemic that shut down the economy for two years. There is less money."
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"It’s like this all over the world. Every aspect of the media is feeling the pinch right now," she said of the strain being felt globally. With several shows being axed, Anne admitted that there is concern amongst the cast.
She stated: "Obviously, one is always a little bit worried and one is always glad to hear there will be more episodes." The I'm A Celebrity star confessed she doesn't want to imagine life without The Chase, which has been hosted by Bradley Walsh since its inception.
The star added: "But we are doing better than most shows. It does the business in the ratings. So many people watch it." Last year, Bradley shared the problem he faces due to his hugely successful career.
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The former Coronation Street star, 64, fronts The Chase and is currently filming the second series of BBC's Gladiators alongside his son, Barney Walsh.
Speaking to Radio New Zealand in November, Bradley confessed that he can't afford to go on holiday for long periods of time due to his busy schedule.
"On my bucket list is New Zealand and the Cook Islands, that’s a place I’ve never been, so I need to come,” he said. "The problem is, at the moment I actually can’t devote five weeks, because if I go for any less than that, I don’t think it’s doing it justice."
