Youngest-ever Chaser Mara Lejins responds to Anne Hegerty ‘disapproval’ of younger quizzers joining the show

From battle of the brains to battle of the ages, The Chase‘s youngest-ever quizzer Mara “The Smiling Assasin” Lejins has responded to long-time Chaser Anne “The Governess” Hegerty’s “pissed off” remarks regarding the show’s choice to the hunt for younger participants to become new quizzers.

Lejins, 27, has set the record straight regarding rumours of tension between her and Hegerty after the 64-year-old English quizzer admitted to seeing red when she heard the show may be replacing her with someone who “looks like they could be on Love Island”.

Taking to her Instagram story, Lejins shared a screenshot of a Daily Mail article that reported on the rumoured tension between Chasers and made light of the topic.

“I mean, I think I would rock Love Island,” Lejins wrote under the article’s headline, adding a lighthearted poll asking her followers if they would be keen for a “The Chase/Love Island crossover?”

According to Daily Star, Hegerty had “expressed disappointment” upon finding out the show’s producers were looking to bring in Chasers in their 20s.

“They have tried out a few 20-year-olds for The Chase as quizzers,” she told the publication.

“I would be more than pissed off if I was replaced, as she would not be as good as me.

“Nobody is about to replace me.”

News of Hegerty’s possible replacement was sparked after fan favourite Mark “The Beast” Labbett appeared at the Oxford Student Union and reportedly told its debate society that the show bosses were looking for quizzes who can play like Anne or Jenny (Ryan) and looks like she can be on Love Island”.

Both Hegerty and Labett are currently in Australia filming new episodes alongside Lejin.

Not the least bit intimidated by her older co-quizzers, the brainy blonde has already warned contestants she is not to be underestimated by her looks.

“I only smile when I’m trying to take down contestants. That’s why I’m always smiling,” she says.

This isn’t the first time Lejins has been on the show though, back in 2017 she appeared as a contestant and won $20,000 for her team. She later appeared as a contestant on the show’s spin-off series Beat The Chasers where she walked away with an impressive $58,000.

Alongside Hegerty and Labett, she now joins the ranks of gaming giants Issa “The Super Nerd” Schultz, Cheryl “Tiger Mum” Toh, Brydon”The Shark” Coverdale, and Matt “Goliath” Parkinson.

The Chase Australia shows at 5.00 pm on weekdays on Channel 7 and 7plus.