New Chaser Revealed: Joe Pasquale as Maverick on The Chase

When a masked figure calling himself “Maverick” appeared on ITV’s Beat the Chasers, viewers were left guessing his identity until the final moments. The reveal on October 19, 2025, showed that the mystery chaser was none other than comedian Joe Pasquale, a familiar face in British entertainment.

New chaser revealed: Joe Pasquale ·
Chaser nickname: The Maverick ·
Reveal date: October 19, 2025 ·
Show: Beat the Chasers ·
Joe Pasquale age: 64 ·
Chasers on main Chase: 6

Six key facts about the new Chaser, from his real name to the moment the mask came off.

Who is the new chaser on The Chase?

The new Chaser is Joe Pasquale, but the real question is how a comedian ended up in the quiz master’s chair.

What is the Maverick’s real name?

• The new Chaser is Joe Pasquale, a veteran British comedian and impressionist (The Chase Wiki, fan encyclopedia).
• He adopted the alias “The Maverick” for his appearance on Beat the Chasers (TV Guide UK, a UK TV listings authority).

How did the reveal happen?

Throughout the 60-minute episode, Maverick spoke through a voice modulator and wore a red mask with a black question mark. At the very end, he removed the mask and revealed himself as Pasquale (1News NZ, a New Zealand news outlet). Host Bradley Walsh, a longtime friend of Pasquale’s, was visibly stunned, saying “I should have twigged” (1News NZ).

The implication: the stunt worked because it played on the audience’s affection for both men, turning a quiz show reveal into a genuine television moment.

Is Joe Pasquale the new chaser?

Pasquale’s casting as a chaser breaks the show’s tradition of recruiting from the world of professional quizzing.

What is Joe Pasquale’s background?

• Pasquale is a well-known comedian, actor, and TV presenter in the UK (The Chase Wiki, fan encyclopedia). He won I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2005.
• He previously appeared as a contestant on The Chase itself, giving him firsthand experience of the show’s format.

Has Joe Pasquale appeared on The Chase before?

Yes, he competed as a contestant on an earlier episode of the main show. That prior appearance made his return as a Chaser especially ironic for regular viewers.

Who is the new Irish chaser on The Chase?

To avoid confusion, the Irish chaser Darragh Ennis is not the same as the new Maverick.

Who is Darragh Ennis?

• Darragh Ennis, nicknamed “The Menace,” joined The Chase in 2020 (TV Guide UK).
• He holds a PhD in molecular biology and is the only Irish chaser on the main show.

When did Darragh Ennis join The Chase?

Ennis made his debut in 2020, adding a new dimension to the roster of six regular Chasers. He is not the same person as the new “Maverick” — that role was a one-off guest slot filled by Pasquale (1News NZ).

The catch: the spin-off introduced a new dynamic, but the main show’s roster remains unchanged.

Who is the new chaser comedian revealed?

Pasquale’s unmasking turned a quiz show episode into a viral social media moment.

What happened during the unmasking?

• The unmasking aired on the season finale of Beat the Chasers on October 19, 2025 (TV Guide UK).
• Many viewers initially suspected the mystery guest was comedian Jasper Carrott (1News NZ).

How did fans react?

Social media exploded with surprise and delight. The unusual choice of a comedian rather than a seasoned quiz champion generated both praise and skepticism, with fans debating whether Pasquale’s quizzing skills matched those of regular Chasers.

Who is the new chaser maverick?

The Maverick persona was a carefully crafted piece of television theatre.

Why is the new chaser called Maverick?

• The nickname “Maverick” was chosen to reflect an unpredictable, non-standard approach to quizzing (TV Guide UK).
• It also ties into Pasquale’s comedic persona: someone who doesn’t follow the rules.

What does the Maverick persona involve?

Maverick spoke through a voice modulator, wore a distinctive mask, and maintained a mysterious aura throughout the episode. The persona was designed to keep both contestants and viewers guessing until the final reveal.

The implication: the Maverick gimmick allowed ITV to test a celebrity chaser concept without committing to a permanent roster change.

For ITV’s Beat the Chasers, the introduction of a celebrity chaser like Joe Pasquale opens the door for more guest appearances, but raises questions about the show’s traditional format. For the network, the gamble paid off in buzz and viewership. The real test will be whether Pasquale returns for a full season, a consequence that depends on ITV’s appetite for further format experiments.