Beat The Chasers returned on Monday night to ITV with host Bradley Walsh putting another set of contestants through their paces, and a first appearance from new Chaser Issa Schultz.
The newest Chaser stood in to replace Anne Hegerty on the show, who was forced to miss filming after catching Covid, Yorkshire Live reports.
However, it didn't take long before fans stirred up controversy on the new series, with Chaser Mark Labbett, 'The Beast', having to defend his co-stars actions.
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New contestant Josh was given a selection of cash offers by Chaser Jenny and ended up aiming for the highest offer, confidence radiating off of him - but Jenny warned him that the decision could turn out to be 'classic greed'.
This angered many ITV viewers, who took to social media to air their frustration at Jenny's remarks.
One Twitter user said: "Omfg I'm not sure it's up to or appropriate 4 a chaser 2 call a contestant greedy #BeatTheChasers that's disgusting of Jenny Ryan."
Another agreed, writing: "I thought exactly the same. Rude."
And a third said: "Just what I thought. It must have been to put him off. Nasty."
Another commented: "@BradleyWalsh @ITV @jenlion watching the first episode tonight & I didn’t like Vixens undeserved comment about one of the contestants, Josh, saying he was ‘greedy’. This was an unfair & inappropriate comment for a contestant who was nothing but nice and sincere #BeatTheChasers"
And a fifth wrote: "Jenny has just knocked Josh for taking a high offer by saying "Classic greed". Charming!! Somebody clearly doesn't understand what the programme is all about. If nobody took the higher offers, it wouldn't be much of a show. Well done, Josh, for at least trying. #BeatTheChasers"
A further comment read: "Bit rude Jenny calling contestant greedy #BeatTheChasers"
So, Chaser Mark Labbett, also known as The Beast, took to Twitter to defend his co-star, writing: "Jenny called it right, went too high, then crashed and burned."
A fan replied, writing: "Maybe she did, but 2 accused a contestant of greed is down right inappropriate and disgusting #rude"
The Beast then came back and said: "It’s Unscripted tv, bit harsh."
Further on in the episode, new Chaser Issa Schultz made his first appearance as replacement for Anne Hegerty, while contestant Jackie scooped the first cash prize of the series.
The 75-year-old nabbed £25,000 for 'a new roof', becoming the first winner of the series.
Host Bradley Walsh made a cheeky dig at rival BBC show Pointless as the episode ended, as he remarked that Jackie should: "now go on Pointless and win two grand for some guttering."
The next episode of Beat The Chasers will air on ITV on Tuesday, May 17 at 9pm.
