Contestant Shocks Viewers by Taking Record Low Minus £17K Offer on The Chase

The Chase made headlines today when contestant Chetan accepted a record-low offer of minus £17,000, sparking a storm of reactions from viewers, according to Daily Mail. The decision, part of a strategy to ensure a stronger team in the final chase, left fans divided.

The drama unfolded after Kym, a retired teacher from Norfolk, delivered an impressive cash-builder round, securing £8,000. Encouraged by host Bradley Walsh, she bravely went for the high offer of £75,000 and successfully made it back to her team. Kym’s performance set the bar high and raised hopes for a substantial final jackpot.

Next was Nicky, a health advisory consultant from Cambridge, who earned £7,000 in her cash-builder round. However, she opted to take a lower offer of £5,000, reducing the team’s potential winnings and sparking frustration among viewers, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

The most controversial moment came when Chetan, the final contestant, shocked everyone by opting for the unprecedented minus £17,000 offer. Defending his decision, he explained, “Probably not going to be the most popular choice, but I do think there is strength in numbers, so I’m going to go for the -17.”

Chaser Jenny Ryan, known as “The Vixen,” remarked that the minus £17,000 was a “show record,” adding to the intensity of the moment.

Fans quickly took to social media to express their opinions. Many were outraged, with one tweeting, “-£17,000 on The Chase. Should be ashamed of yourself.” Another fumed about Nicky’s choice, stating, “The woman got 7 right and still took the minus offer. Shocking scenes on The Chase today.” Some were simply astounded, writing, “MINUS SEVENTEEN THOUSAND???? AND HE TOOK IT???????”

However, not everyone criticized the strategy. Supporters argued that the decisions ultimately paid off. One viewer noted, “Well done team, that proved everyone wrong who criticized them for taking the low offer,” while another praised Chetan, saying, “Well played Chetan—good tactics and decent final contribution.”

Despite the controversy, the team managed to advance to the final chase, with Kym’s initial high-stakes gamble keeping hopes alive. Whether the strategy justified the bold moves remains a topic of heated debate among fans.