Who is the New Chaser on The Chase? The Maverick Revealed

For fans of The Chase, the arrival of a new quizmaster always stirs up curiosity. This time, the mystery chaser known as “The Maverick” kept viewers guessing until the final moments of the Beat the Chasers finale. Now we know who was behind the mask and what it means for the show’s future.

New Chaser Nickname: The Maverick · Revealed As: Joe Pasquale · Regular Chasers: 5 (The Beast, The Governess, The Sinnerman, The Vixen, The Dark Destroyer) · Irish Chaser: Darragh Ennis · Chaser with Parkinson’s: Paul Sinha

Five key details about the new chaser, side by side:

Who is the new chaser on The Chase?

The Maverick nickname

• The nickname “The Maverick” was chosen because, as ITV’s social media teased, he is the “maverick” of the group (ITV Chase (Facebook official page)).
• He wore a mask and used a voice disguiser, leaving only his eyes visible – which led some viewers to suspect Tim Peake (ITV Chase (Facebook official page)).

Reveal on Beat the Chasers

• The unmasking happened during the Series 7 finale of Beat the Chasers, which aired August 31, 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• Pasquale had practiced with the other chasers beforehand to prepare (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).

Bottom line: The Maverick was not a permanent replacement but a one-off guest. For casual viewers, the reveal was a fun surprise; for loyal fans, it raises questions about the show’s direction.

Is Joe Pasquale the new chaser?

Joe Pasquale’s background

• Joe Pasquale is a well-known British comedian, actor, and TV presenter, famous for his high-pitched voice and roles on shows like I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Dancing on Ice (The Chase Wiki (fan community database)).
• He had no previous connection to The Chase before this appearance. For more context on his debut, see our article on New Chaser Revealed: Joe Pasquale as Maverick on The Chase.

Official confirmation

• The reveal was confirmed by ITV through social media teasers and the Beat the Chasers broadcast itself (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
• Pasquale discussed his secret mission on This Morning on October 20, 2025, saying he “went completely incognito” (This Morning (Instagram official account)).

Pasquale went completely incognito to trick the top chasers and viewers.

This Morning (Instagram official account)

Bottom line: Yes, Joe Pasquale is the new chaser, but only as a one-time guest. He is not joining the regular lineup.

Who is the new Irish chaser on The Chase?

Darragh Ennis profile

• Darragh Ennis is a research scientist and a quiz champion, having won The Chase as a contestant before joining as a chaser (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• He is known as “The Menace” and is the only Irish chaser on the show.

How he joined the show

• Ennis joined the regular chaser lineup after impressing producers on the celebrity specials (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• He has appeared on both The Chase and Beat the Chasers since his debut.

The pattern is clear: ITV has broadened its chaser roster by including a scientist with proven quizzing credentials, adding intellectual depth alongside the established personalities.

Who is the new chaser comedian revealed?

The unmasked comedian

• The comedian hiding behind the mask turned out to be Joe Pasquale, as confirmed by the broadcast and media reports (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
• His disguise included a helmet, mask, and modulated voice – a theatrical choice that kept even the regular chasers guessing.

Host Bradley Walsh’s reaction

• Bradley Walsh, the show’s host, expressed delight at the reveal, joking that Pasquale “had us all fooled”).
• Walsh and Pasquale are known to be longtime friends, which added a personal layer to the stunt.

Which chaser has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Paul Sinha’s diagnosis

• Paul Sinha, known as The Sinnerman on The Chase, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• He has spoken openly about his condition in interviews and on social media.

Impact on his career

• Sinha continues to appear as a chaser, though he has adjusted his schedule to manage symptoms.
• He has stated that quizzing keeps his mind sharp and that he has no plans to retire (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Pasquale revealed he practiced with the other Chasers before making his debut as Maverick.

The Mirror (UK tabloid)

The trade-off: Parkinson’s has not ended Sinha’s television career, but it has introduced a new level of public awareness about the condition among millions of Chase viewers.

Timeline

• Earlier (undated): Darragh Ennis introduced as the new Irish chaser.
• August 31, 2025: Joe Pasquale unmasked as The Maverick on Beat the Chasers Series 7 finale.
• October 20, 2025: Pasquale discusses his incognito appearance on This Morning.
• Ongoing: Paul Sinha publicly discusses his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

For ITV and The Chase production team, the gamble of a masked chaser paid off: it generated buzz, tested audience loyalty, and proved the format can still surprise. The real question now is whether The Maverick will ride again.

Frequently asked questions