The Chase has apologised for airing a question about The Prodigy hours after it was announced that band member Keith Flint had died.
The frontman was found dead in his home on Monday after taking his own life at the weekend, and during last night’s edition of The Chase – which is pre-recorded – a contestant was asked: “Which chart act has the fewest members?”
The options were The Proclaimers, Pretenders, or The Prodigy.
Read more: The Chase blasted for question about The Prodigy hours after news broke of Keith Flint’s suicide
But viewers weren’t impressed and called the question “badly timed” and “bad taste”.
Now, ITV has issued an apology and said episodes are pre-recorded months in advance meaning last night’s show was taped before Keith’s death.
A rep for the show told the Metro: “The Chase is pre-recorded (months) in advance and we do always make best endeavours to ensure our scheduling and programme content is not insensitive in light of news events when episodes are due to air.
“We apologise this was not spotted.”
It came after some viewers criticised the show for airing the question.
One person wrote on Twitter: “Very poor timing on The Prodigy question! #thechase,” while another said: “Well this was a badly timed question to come on today #thechase #itv #Prodigy.”
Very poor timing on the prodigy question !#thechase pic.twitter.com/6bwdgaW4fR
— kay (@kay31848302) 4 March 2019
Well this was a badly timed question to come on today #thechase #itv #Prodigy pic.twitter.com/FNREEDxXFl
— Rebekah (@Bekieboyd) 4 March 2019
A third added: “Did the Chase really just show a question about fewest band members with The Prodigy as an answer on the day Keith Flint died? Bad taste.”
Did the Chase really just show a question about fewest band members with The Prodigy as an answer on the day Keith Flint died? Bad taste #thechase #Prodigy #KeithFlint #Firestarter
— Mike W (@MikeTelevison) 4 March 2019
News of Keith’s death broke on Monday.
According to a report in The Sun, a spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at just after 8.10am on Monday.
“We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.”
They added: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Read more: The Prodigy singer Keith Flint has died aged 49
East of England Ambulance Service was called to the scene at 8:08am along with Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, but tragically Keith could not be saved.
Keith’s devastated band mate Liam Howlett later revealed that Keith had taken his own life over the weekend.
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