The Chase star Mark Labbett has given a mixed verdict on Million Pound Shot, the new TV stunt starring quiz show presenter Bradley Walsh.
Walsh, who serves as host and quizmaster on ITV’s The Chase, was seen hosting what appeared to be a new game show on Channel 4 over the weekend, in which contestants were able to bet their own money in pursuit of jackpot prizes.
However, as the contestants’ financial states grew increasingly dire, it became clear that Million Pound Shot had in fact been marketed deceptively – and viewers were watching a drama about that dangers of gambling.
Labbett, one of the longtime trivia experts on The Chase – where he is known by his nickname “The Beast” – live-tweeted his way through Million Pound Shot, and expressed doubts over the central deception.
He initially praised some of the touches on the show, including the moments in which contestants used a card machine to transfer cash for the competition.
“Nice touch,” he wrote, adding: “Card out, pin in’... Brad’s trying for a new catch phrase.”
Around 20 minutes in, he appeared to cotton on to the ruse, telling followers: “Having said all that, I am wondering if it is going to pivot to an ‘evils of gambling’ theme.”
Labbett then stated that he had “suddenly lost interest” in the show – though expressed more mixed feelings once the twist was revealed.
“Thank god for that,” he wrote.
“Interesting show,” he concluded, “but I wish they actually made a good new quiz show. Also wondered how audience felt spending hours on a fake show.”
At the end of the show, Walsh informed the audience: “What you just witnessed was a performance by actors. Everything you’ve seen tonight draws on techniques used by the gambling industry to manipulate its customers.”
Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), told the show told The Independent after the episode aired that he hopes the programme will prompt the government to take action against predatory gambling industry practices.
“What we really need is for the government to watch it and to understand that most of the tricks, or almost all the tricks that were played in the show are legal and are regulated by the Gambling Commission and are endorsed by the government. And so this is happening in plain sight. It's happening to millions of people across Britain,” he said.
Prochaska provided research to help make the show, as well as appearing on it. The majority of the audience were unaware they were watching a hoax when they started the recording.