The Chase’s Anne Hegerty lands big new project that’s worlds away from ITV quiz show
THE CHASE star Anne Hegerty has swapped out savage one liners and quiz answers for learning lines as she takes on an acting role.
Anne is best known for her appearances on The Chase, where she typically takes down contestants with her unrivalled trivia knowledge.
Yet the star’s new project has seen her head in a different direction as she stars in brand new film Exorcising Barry.
Anne will take on the role of an intrusive neighbour, peering over the fence at a fake “priest” who has been hired to stage an exorcism.
The light hearted comedy mixed with horror sees London-born Anne transforming her voice as she attempts a Northern accent.
Co-star Joshua Ford revealed to The Express that Anne’s change in accent was perfect as he said: “Anne just had the most flawless Northern accent you could possibly imagine and it just killed us. She’s hilarious… I don’t think this will be her last film.”
The film, which was created on a micro budget of £3000 and saw The Chase star take no payment for being involved, is set to air at film festivals.
The movie role comes as last month Anne cracked jokes about her weight loss, after she famously lost over a stone during her stint on I’m A Celebrity in 2018 and has kept it off ever since.
After leaving the show, she revealed cutting out salt and rice in her diet, and just sticking to beans, she managed to lose 14lbs.
Six years later she’s managed to keep the weight off as she revealed she thinks her fortune is the reason she’s been able to maintain her new figure.
Speaking to Bella magazine, Anne said: “Some people have said that, but I haven’t been doing anything deliberate.
“I do find I’m not as hungry these days – it’s to do with being rich (laughs). It’s brilliant – I love being rich!”
She added: “It just means I have this sense of security, and do I need to eat this? Am I hungry right now?
“I might be hungry later, so let’s put it aside and I can come back and eat it up.”
Continuing she told the publication: “I swear, when you’re poor – and I’ve been poor – you’re literally hungrier.
“You feel hungrier, and that’s why poor people eat more, and they eat fattening stuff.”
The TV star has often given insights into her weight-loss journey, saying she has embraced “small stages” and emphasising living a healthy lifestyle, coupled with drinking “lots of water”.
The Chase: Current lineup of Chasers on the ITV show
The Chase first premiered on ITV back in 2009 and has become a firm favourite among viewers since then. The roster of professional quizzers ('chasers') has grown significantly since the show's launch.
- Mark Labbett (2009 – present): Known as ‘The Beast’, Mark is a former Maths teacher and previously won £32,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Mark has also reprised his role as a Chaser in the US and Australian versions of the show.
- Shaun Wallace (2009 – present): Shaun, a barrister and former Mastermind champion, goes by the ‘Dark Destroyer’. Shaun has appeared on the Australian version of The Chase. In 2008, he finished as runner-up to Barry Simmons in Are You an Egghead?, a contest to find a new member of the then-BBC quiz team.
- Anne Hegerty (2010 – present): A former contestant on Mastermind, Fifteen To One and Are You an Egghead?, Anne goes by ‘The Governess’. Since joining The Chase, she appeared on I’m A Celebrity… in 2018.
- Paul Sinha (2011-present): Comedian and qualified doctor Paul joined the Chaser line-up in 2011, taking the nickname ‘The Sinnerman’. He has appeared on The Weakest Link, University Challenge and Brain of Britain. In 2018, Paul starred in series 8 of popular game show Taskmaster.
- Jenny Ryan (2015 – present): Known as ‘The Vixen’, Jenny was previously in a winning team on Only Connect. She also appeared in Mastermind, The Weakest Link and Fifteen To One before joining The Chase in 2015.
- Darragh Ennis (2020 – present): A postdoctoral researcher, Darragh joined The Chase in 2020 as ‘The Menace’. He is the first former contestant to join the line-up, having been part of a winning team against Paul Sinha in 2017.