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Appearing on The Chase requires more effort than many might imagine. The ITV quiz show airs every weekday, featuring teams of four strangers competing against a brilliant quizzer known as the Chaser. Successfully defeat the Chaser, and your team shares the total prize pot accumulated during the programme.

Many tune in regularly, but have you ever thought about applying to participate? One contestant who did apply has shared her experience on social media, detailing the selection process, working alongside Bradley Walsh, and how filming takes place.

Savannah, 23, featured in an episode of The Chase broadcast at the end of January this year, though she actually filmed it nearly two years earlier in February 2024.

She revealed she was forbidden from disclosing her appearance until a fortnight before transmission, meaning she'd kept it under wraps for almost two years. What's more, she originally applied for the show in 2022 and didn't receive any further communication about her application until 2023.

The Wolverhampton resident described the qualification process as tougher than most would anticipate, with prospective contestants required to complete two separate general knowledge quizzes.

She revealed: "I had totally forgotten about it until the end of 2023 when I received a call out of the blue from someone who said, 'Hey, I'm a production assistant for The Chase, and we were wondering if you'd still be interested'. I said yes, and they said, 'Can we ask you 40 general knowledge questions?'"

At the time of the telephone call, Savannah was on her way to work - and despite the production assistant's offer to ring back later for the quiz, she chose to complete it whilst standing outdoors beside a bustling road.

Assuming that would be her final interaction, Savannah received another unexpected call shortly before Christmas, requiring her to answer additional general knowledge questions. On this occasion, the production assistant didn't indicate whether her responses were correct or incorrect.

Come January 2024, she joined approximately 20 other hopefuls on a video conference with the show's producers. They discussed the programme's format and gave contestants the opportunity to raise any queries.

According to Savannah, producers disclosed they receive roughly 75,000 applications annually for The Chase - which explains the lengthy wait of over 12 months for their response!

On 1 February 2024, Savannah travelled to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood for her recording. She was provided with overnight accommodation and meal expenses ahead of filming.

At 9am the following morning, production commenced. Savannah and her fellow contestants were ushered into a green room, where production staff meticulously explained the rules and provided printed copies for "legal purposes".

She then underwent wardrobe styling and makeup before being escorted onto the set to meet presenter Bradley Walsh ahead of recording.

According to Savannah, Bradley was "really nice" to her and the other participants, taking time to introduce himself before cameras rolled. The actual filming process was "very stop and start", with pauses between each question rather than the smooth flow viewers see on television.

Her opponent was Mark Labbett, better known as The Beast, which proved daunting as Savannah regards him as the toughest Chaser to defeat.

The contestant opted to stick with the £5,000 she'd accumulated during the cash builder round - and successfully returned to rejoin her teammates.

Reflecting on the Final Chase, she explained: "We were so lucky. We had someone on our team who was such a machine, and he was totally locked in. We did really well on the Final Chase, thanks to him especially. I would like to say you can see me try to buzz in on more questions than the one that I did get, but I just wasn't fast enough on the buzzer."

Savannah's team impressively answered 21 questions correctly during the Final Chase - and with several pushbacks, they triumphed over the Chaser by six points. The victory secured them the £13,000 prize fund, with each team member pocketing £3,250.

The ITV contestant shared: "One of the reasons I love being on TV is because everyone is really nice. The wardrobe people are kind, the hair and makeup [people], all the casting assistants, production assistants, and producers. Everyone is really friendly. They want to make sure that you have a good day and that you have a really nice time.

"So if you're debating about whether to apply for a game show or a quiz show, or any opportunity that involves going on television, the chances are people are going to be really nice and friendly. It will probably be a good experience."