Television personality Andrew O’Keefe has let fans in on a little secret, announcing a new chaser will be joining popular game show The Chase in 2019.
The 47-year-old revealed another female mastermind will be added to the lineup of impressive chasers which show off their incredible knowledge in the Channel 7 program.
Speaking to the Herald Sun in a tell-all interview, O’Keefe claimed popular chaser Anne Hegerty, or more commonly known as The Governess, will no longer be the only woman on the podium with Cheryl Toh joining the cast this year. The host said he is “very excited” to welcome Cheryl, who will also go by the name of “Tiger Mum”, to the cast.
“I have really been on Channel 7’s back about getting more gender equality into the show,” he told the publication. “It takes a while to work someone up and I am absolutely thrilled Cheryl is now on the show.
“She is an interesting character, she is whip smart, she chose her name. I think the fact she is not an Anglo Saxon Australian is another fantastic thing.”
Cheryl has already been introduced to audiences, making her debut in January 2019.
Up until now The Chase has been made up of chasers Anne Hegerty (The Governess), Brydon Coverdale (The Shark), Mark Parkinson (Goliath), Issa Shultz (The Supernerd), Mark Labbett (The Beast) and Shaun Wallace (The Destroyer).
Anne has been one of the most popular chasers on the show to date, among fans and competitors who hope to take on the talented quiz master and win some cash.
She first made her claim to fame as one of the chasers on the original UK version of the show before making her way Down Under to battle it out against Aussies.
The 60-year-old recently stepped outside of her comfort zone and appeared on the recent series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, host O’Keefe recently spoke to Starts at 60 about the funniest moments when filming The Chase. He admitted his favourite moments during filming are when a contestant makes a mistake, or he’s confronted with a funny question or rude answer he’s not anticipating.
“The stand-out moments for us are when things don’t go according to plan, it’s always a lot of fun,” he said. “For example some of the great contestant answers we’ll never forget. You have to stop to have a little giggle, and I don’t always keep a straight face. One or two time I’ve had to stop the clock because I’m just convulsing with laughter.
“Particularly when the contestant realises what they’ve said is hilariously incorrect. The looks you see on people’s faces are priceless.”
More information about new chaser “Tiger Mum” is set to be available closer to her onscreen debut. The Chase Australia airs weekdays at 5pm on Channel 7.