Anne Hegerty, also known as The Governess, has dismissed rumours of her departure from Beat the Chasers after she was replaced on the show.
The TV star was absent from the episode, which was filmed three years ago and aired again on ITV1 on Thursday (December 19) night, leading to Australian quiz master Issa Schultz stepping in.
Known as ‘The Super Nerd’, Issa is a renowned Chaser on the Australian version of the show, boasting eight victories at the Australian Quizzing Championships between 2011 and 2021, along with appearances on shows like The Rich List and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
In the episode, he joined forces with five of the country’s top minds – the Sinnerman, the Beast, the Menace, the Vixen, and the Dark Destroyer, all ready to challenge a new set of contestants hoping to outsmart the chasers and bag a hefty cash prize. Bradley Walsh resumed his role as host, welcoming Maud from Belfast who hoped to win a trip on the Orient Express.
Meanwhile, Back to the Future enthusiast Richy aimed to secure enough funds for his own DeLorean, while Stuart from Dorset sought to amass as much money as possible to purchase a new campervan. Anne’s absence sparked concern among fans, fearing she had left the show.
Anne Hegerty missed filming of ITV Beat The Chasers due to an illness (Image: ITV)
However, she has since reassured viewers via social media that she remains an integral part of the team, reports .
Taking to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, she clarified: “I haven’t left, am not leaving, and wasn’t leaving when Issa had to stand in for me when I caught NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO.”
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Anne has been a core part of the show since joining in 2010 (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The spin-off sensation Beat The Chasers burst onto our screens in April 2020, following on from the success of The Chase which started its run in 2009 featuring quiz titans Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace.
Since Anne Hegerty joined the quizzing lineup in 2010, she has been a stalwart of the show, racking up hundreds of appearances to the delight of viewers everywhere, firmly establishing herself as a cherished part of the series.
You can catch up on Beat the Chasers on ITV and ITVX