ITV viewers were fuming as they watched a Beat The Chasers contestant named Ronnie “robbed” of his £50k winnings.
On last night’s (Wednesday, April 29) episode of The Chase spin-off series, Ronnie Watson from Hull racked up £3,000 in his cash-builder round.
In the head-to-head, he took an offer of £50k with a time advantage of just 10 seconds against the five chasers – Mark Labbett, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Shaun Wallace.
Read more: Beat The Chasers: Stunned viewers ‘spit out their wine’ as Anne Hegerty cracks rude joke
“If I was a High Court judge I’d be reaching for the black cap now,” The Beast warned him, drawing laughs from Ronnie and the studio audience.
How did Ronnie do?
It was a tense head-to-head. And in the end, the chasers had just six seconds left when it was Ronnie’s turn.
As his final seconds ticked down, host Bradley Walsh quickly read out the question: “Shiitake is a type of what food?”
Ronnie blurted out, “Mushroom!” just as the buzzer went – and with it, his £50k winnings.
“Mushrooms are right but just out of time,” Bradders said, consoling him.
But some viewers at home think the show made a blunder – and that Ronnie’s answer was delivered in full before the final buzzer.
One said: “Aren’t you ashamed stealing #Ronnie’s money when he gave the right answer ‘Mushrooms’ just before the time ran out?!?”
Another said: “Yes, but Ronnie was robbed at the end! He said ‘Mushroom’ before the buzzer. #BeatTheChasers.”
A third wrote: “Ronnie defo got there in time then for £50k, he’s been shafted #BeatTheChasers.”
Ronnie was robbed at the end!
Someone else said: “I’m sure Ronnie said the answer before the buzzer went. Justice for Ronnie! #BeatTheChasers.”
“That’s such rubbish,” said a fifth. “Ronnie said ‘Mushrooms’ IN time #BeatTheChasers.”
What does ITV say about it?
ED! contacted ITV for comment and a spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “Ronnie’s answer was correct, but unfortunately out of time.
“This was formally checked and confirmed by the adjudicator. Ronnie accepted and agreed with the decision.”
Aren't you ashamed stealing #Ronnie's money when he gave the right answer "Mushrooms" just before the time ran out?!? #BeatTheChasers @ITVChase #50k
— ThisIsE (@ErwanRevel) April 29, 2020
Yes, but Ronnie was robbed at the end! He said ‘Mushroom’ before the buzzer.#BeatTheChasers
— StageKraft 1212 Christopher (@stagekraft1212) April 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/GaryBolton91/status/1255603012631965697
https://twitter.com/DylanNicolson1/status/1255602996630544386
https://twitter.com/forry1993/status/1255603632017465344
Read more: Beat The Chasers: Paul Sinha hits back at claims he gave Jenny Ryan a ‘dirty look’
Elsewhere on last night’s episode of Beat The Chasers, another contestant came close to taking home a five-figure prize – falling at the last second.
– Beat The Chasers continues tonight (Thursday, April 30) at 9pm on ITV
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