Quizmaster Anne Hegerty trades The Chase for a magical new stage role

She’s entertained quiz fans for over a decade but beloved quiz master Anne Hegerty will temporarily trade the television studio for the theatre stage in an upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast.

The 66-year-old, best known to fans as “The Governess” on the hit quiz show The Chase, is set to return to the stage as The Fairy Rose in Scarborough Spa’s upcoming production of the beloved fairytale.

Her character, inspired by the enchanted rose from Disney’s 1991 animated classic, serves as a magical timekeeper for the Beast—each falling petal marking the dwindling time he has to find true love and lift the curse.

The entertainment venue announced Hegerty’s return on their social media page and said they were “delighted” to have the quiz show queen return to the stage.

“We are delighted to announce that back by popular demand for Beauty and the Beast will be The Governess, Anne Hegerty!” they wrote.

“Keep your eyes peeled for more star names to follow,” they added.

It’s not the first time Hegerty has tread the boards, having shown off her dramatic skills in such stage productions as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin.

While the role seems like a stretch from her television alter ego, Hegerty admits she worked hard to make the “The Governess” come to life.

During a previous appearance on Loose Women, Hegerty explained that early on “the character was going to be more sort of creepy.”

“I remember saying I wanted her to be a cross between Caroline Aherne’s Mrs Merton and Daphne Fowler on EggHeads,” she said, as per OK magazine.

“I wanted everyone to think in terms of Dolores Umbridge and how the creepiest thing about her was those damn kittens. And then a friend of mine said that’s a bit too different from what I’m like and I wouldn’t be able to maintain that.

“So, I went and based her more on my grandmother who I did mention earlier and she was formidable. Also, one of my aunts and just this generically scary character [formed].

“Americans have compared her to Professor McGonagall. I would rather be McGonagall than Umbridge any day.”

It’s safe to say that Hegerty has perfected her on-screen persona, with The Governess character becoming a major hit with audiences.

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