LONDON – The Chase, ITV’s quiz juggernaut that’s kept Britain glued to its sofas for 16 electrifying years, just hit the ejector seat on its beating heart. In a bombshell announcement dropped like a Chaser’s final question during Monday’s episode – November 24, 2025 – Bradley Walsh, 65, confirmed he’s stepping down as host at the end of the current series. And his successor? Stephen Mulhern, the cheeky magician-turned-presenter who’s been charming Deal or No Deal audiences since 2005. The reveal, teased with a cryptic on-screen graphic (“A New Chase Begins…”), sent the internet into absolute meltdown: #SaveBradley trended with 2.8 million posts in hours, X erupted in generational clashes, and fans from Liverpool to Land’s End flooded forums with everything from heartbroken memes to outright boycotts. “Stephen’s great, but without Brad’s banter? It’s like The Chase without the chase,” wailed one viral tweet, encapsulating the raw emotion ripping through the nation.

Walsh, the everyman kingpin who’s turned pub-quiz energy into prime-time gold, broke the news with his trademark twinkle – but a hint of mist in those iconic eyes betrayed the gravity. “I’ve loved every mad minute – the Chasers, the contestants, the sheer lunacy of it all,” he said, leaning on the studio desk like an old mate at closing time. “But after 16 series, 1,500 episodes, and more highbrow questions than I’ve had hot dinners, it’s time for fresh legs. Stephen’s the perfect fit – sharp, funny, and he won’t let those Chasers get away with murder.” The studio crowd – a mix of contestants, crew, and surprise guests like Mark Labbett (“The Beast”) – erupted in applause laced with sniffles. Labbett, Walsh’s longest-serving sparring partner, later told The Sun: “Brad’s irreplaceable. He’s the glue. But Stephen? He’ll bring magic – literally.”

Mulhern, 48, bounded onstage post-announcement like a man who’d just pulled a rabbit from his hat – which, fittingly, he did, in a nod to his Deal or No Deal days. “Pinch me – I’m hosting The Chase? Dream come true,” he grinned, before dropping a bombshell tease: “Expect illusions, expect energy, but don’t expect me to go easy on the players. Brad set the bar sky-high; I’m just gonna add fireworks.” Fans who tuned in for the usual cash-builder frenzy got a surprise double-header: Walsh’s farewell laced with bloopers (his infamous “cor blimey” flubs), and Mulhern’s “audition” – a chaotic head-to-head where he bantered with Anne Hegerty (“The Governess”) like a pro, turning a tense standoff into laugh-out-loud gold. “Stephen’s got the charm without the cheese,” tweeted @QuizNerdUK, one of 1.2 million who live-tweeted the reveal. But not everyone’s convinced: “Mulhern’s too polished – where’s Brad’s cheeky chaos?” fired back @ChaseForeverFan, sparking a 5k-like thread war.

The backlash hit like a Chaser’s low offer. X (formerly Twitter) became a battlefield: #BoycottTheChase racked up 450k posts, with diehards decrying the “end of an era” – montages of Walsh’s greatest gaffes (like mistaking “quokka” for “quokka-what?”) going viral at 10 million views. “Bradley IS The Chase. Stephen’s fine for magic tricks, but quizzes? Nah,” raged @ITVAddict, echoing a sentiment from Reddit’s r/TheChase, where a megathread ballooned to 12k comments: “If Barney Walsh (Brad’s son) isn’t in the mix, they’ve lost the plot.” Betting odds, courtesy of Betideas.com, had shifted wildly pre-announcement – Mulhern at 2/1 favorite, Barney Walsh at 5/1 “eye-catching heir,” Roman Kemp at 5/1 for “youth appeal,” and dark horses like Alexander Armstrong (8/1) or Lee Mack (9/1) for comic edge. Post-reveal? Punters flooded bookies, with #BarneyForChase spiking as fans petitioned ITV: “Nepotism? Who cares – it’s family!”

Yet amid the fury, a wave of heartfelt tributes washed over. Walsh, the Watford-born everyman who’s fronted everything from Wheel of Fortune to Breaking Dad with son Barney, has been more than a host – he’s a national uncle, dishing dad jokes and dad wisdom since 2009. “Brad’s the reason I watch – his energy, his empathy when players choke,” shared @SofaQuizzer on TikTok, in a 3-minute eulogy vid that’s hit 800k likes. Celeb reactions poured in: Ant McPartlin (“Brad, you’re a legend – pints on me forever”), Holly Willoughby (“The Chase won’t be the same without your magic, Walshy 💔”), and even The Chasers chimed in – Jenny Ryan (“The Vixen”): “Brad’s taught us all how to lose gracefully… and win with a wink.” A Change.org petition for a “Walsh Week” farewell special garnered 150k signatures in 24 hours, while ITV teased “farewell episodes packed with surprises” – whispers of guest spots for Walsh’s Gladiators reboot co-host Barney.

Mulhern’s camp is all optimism: “I’ve been mates with Brad for years – this is passing the baton, not dropping it,” he told The Mirror exclusively, hinting at crossover eps where Walsh “pops in for chaos.” The 48-year-old Stratford lad – whose magic roots trace to childhood illusions in his family’s pub – brings a fresh vibe: High-energy, interactive flair from In With a Shout! and his viral GMB tricks. “Stephen’s got that boy-next-door charm Brad loves,” says a source close to production. “But expect upgrades: Holographic Chasers? AR questions? It’s The Chase 2.0.” Early buzz from test screenings (leaked via industry insiders) calls it “electric” – Mulhern’s banter with Paul Sinha (“The Sinnerman”) already meme-worthy.

The meltdown’s silver lining? A surge in quiz nights nationwide – pubs from Manchester to Margate reporting 30% booking spikes, all toasting “Brad’s legacy.” As Walsh signs off his final series (airing through Christmas), one thing’s clear: The Chase endures, but Bradley Walsh? He’s etched in telly folklore. “To the man who made us all feel like winners – even when we lost,” trended #ThankYouBradley. Stephen Mulhern steps up; Britain braces for the buzz. Will it stick the landing? Tune in – the questions are just beginning.