The Chase tragedies – death heartbreak, terminal cancer | UK News

£100k winner who handed away weeks later

One of the saddest tales got here this summer time with the loss of Tim McCarthy, a 64-year-old former headteacher from Tyldesley, Greater Manchester.

Tim surprised viewers with an extraordinary efficiency, profitable a life-changing £100,000 jackpot against Jenny “The Vixen” Ryan. What audiences didn’t know at the time was that Tim had been recognized with a terminal sickness before filming. He selected to go forward with the show, realizing his time was restricted.

His widow, Rachel, later revealed: “Only myself and our three children knew he had won.” Because of ITV’s strict guidelines, Tim carried the key of his unimaginable victory to his grave. He died in July, just a month before his episode aired. Friends and household gathered in a Manchester pub to watch his triumphant look, celebrating the second he never obtained to share publicly.

(Image: The Chase)

The actor whose pleasure turned to heartbreak

Another story that touched viewers got here from Tom, an aspiring actor from Twickenham who appeared in December 2024.

Tom had only just left the military when he discovered himself on the show, mistakenly considering he had utilized for Hunted before realising he could be up against Mark “The Beast” Labbett. Despite the mix-up, he proved a formidable contestant, banking £6,000 for his staff and serving to secure a uncommon group victory value £3,000 each.

When requested what he deliberate to do with the money, Tom said he wished to buy a canine. True to his phrase, he welcomed a pet called Sammy into his life. Tragically, Sammy was killed in a car accident – on 17 December 2023, the very day Tom’s episode finally aired two years after filming.

Tom described the heartbreak to the Express: “I had all these people messaging me saying, ‘congrats on winning, are you going to buy a dog?’ And I had to tell them, ‘I did, but very sadly he passed away.’”

(Image: ITV)

The ‘true gentleman’ who died before his episode aired

Perhaps no contestant charmed audiences fairly like Pete Green, a grandfather, local trader and proud member of the steampunk group from Wymondham, Norfolk.

Pete delighted viewers after he launched himself as a “semi-retired medieval trader” who also labored as a scare actor and even a “dinosaur hunter.” His charisma made him a firm fan favorite.

But Pete never lived to see his episode broadcast. He died in a tragic home fire on 27 June 2021, shortly before the show went to air. His son Ben revealed: “Dad was so excited about the episode. He talked about it daily up to the filming and then every week after.”

When the episode was finally shown, tributes poured in from fellow contestants and viewers. Chaser Paul Sinha called Pete “a true gentleman, a warm, engaging and thoroughly entertaining opponent.”

(Image: ITV)

Beat The Chasers winner who confronted cancer battle

Tragedy has also touched Beat The Chasers, the primetime spin-off of The Chase. In 2021, Robyn Free took half in the high-stakes quiz, going up against all 5 Chasers and strolling away with an spectacular £40,000. She wowed host Bradley Walsh and the viewers with her dedication and sharp information.

But behind her win was a personal battle. Robyn was dwelling with cancer and later revealed how upsetting it was to see Bradley joking on-air that she had “scammed” the Chasers with her efficiency, a comment she felt was merciless given her circumstances.

In 2022, she died after selecting to forego additional treatment and chemotherapy. In one heartbreaking assertion, she said: “I would gladly give back the £40k in exchange for being cancer free.”

(Image: ITV)