Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Alex Evans & Jessica Sansome

ITV Beat The Chasers' Mark Labbett steps in to defend Jenny Ryan after 'disgusting' comment

Beat The Chasers star Mark Labbett has stepped in to defend his co-host after she was slammed over a comment she made on the show. The Beast is back on screens every night this week with The Chase's prime time spin-off alongside Jenny Ryan, Paul Sinha, Shaun Wallace, and Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis.

They're also joined by Australian chaser Issa Schultz, aka The Supernerd for the string of ITV shows as he steps in for Anne Hegerty, known as The Governess, after she contracted Covid before filming started.

But it hasn't taken long before the new series to stir up some controversy and Chaser Mark was quick to defend his co-star, Jenny, after she came under fire for a comment she made on the show.

READ MORE: ITV Beat the Chasers' Paul Sinha addresses confusion over 'brutal' Dirty Dancing question

Contestant Josh was taking his time as he tried to decide between the various offers on the table from the Chasers. The game works by the players choosing whether to go up against two, three, four, or five Chasers with their potential jackpot getting higher each time. But if they get all their cash builder questions right, they get the chance to play for a Super Offer which involves all six Chasers.

But back to Josh, he ended up going after a higher amount, full of confidence, Yorkshire Live reports. However, Jenny soon warned him that his decision to go for the higher amount was 'classic greed'. And viewers didn't like that one bit.

Contestant Josh (ITV)

@GemmaMessina tweeted: "@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"

"Bit rude Jenny calling contestant greedy #BeatTheChaser," @di2409 said. @Bufferb2012 commented: "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."

Jenny came under fire from viewers for her comment (ITV)

@HLHoulihan shared: "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."

And 'The Beast' Mark was forced to defend his co-star from the onslaught of complaints, writing on Twitter during the episode: "Jenny called it right, went too high, then crashed and burned." But @bufferb2012 replied: "Maybe she did, but 2 accused a contestant of greed is down right inappropriate and disgusting #rude." Mark then came back and said: "It’s Unscripted tv, bit harsh."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.