6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Inside The Chase star Shaun Wallace's life from retirement plans to family admission
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Shaun Wallace, fondly known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's beloved quiz show The Chase, has become a familiar face in many homes.
He shares the spotlight with host Bradley Walsh and a squad of quiz whizzes.
The programme made its debut in June 2009, with Shaun and fellow star Mark Labbett being part of the original line-up.
They remain key figures on the show today, joined by Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis.
Prior to his rise to TV fame, Shaun was a practising criminal barrister, appearing in hearings at both the Old Bailey and numerous magistrates' courts across England, Wales and Scotland.
His life took an exciting twist in 2004 when he clinched victory in the BBC general knowledge quiz Mastermind, choosing FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject.
This triumph caught the eye of Bradley Walsh and his production crew, leading to Shaun being headhunted by ITV to become the inaugural chaser on The Chase.
His popularity on the show paved the way for a host of other opportunities, including hosting quizzes on cruise ships, writing his own autobiography Catching A Dream, and making countless other TV appearances, according to Bristol Live.
Despite his celebrity status, little is known about Shaun's personal life. Here, we delve into his life off-screen.
Seven-figure earnings
(Image: (Image: ITV))
In a recent chat, Shaun unveiled his impressive dual income, revealing that he now commands a hefty six-figure salary for his work as a barrister and TV personality.
Mastermind champion Shaun has credited his victory on the popular quiz show for a significant boost in his bank balance.
In a chat with The Times about his financial situation, Shaun coyly hinted at his increased earnings with a playful comment: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?"
He revealed that he is now: "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before."
Despite his rise to TV fame, Shaun also mentioned maintaining his career in law: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 percent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 percent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life."
Private romance
(Image: Instagram: @theshaunwallace)
Regarding his private life, Shaun, who is better known as The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, tends to keep details of his romantic encounters under wraps.
During his candid chat with Loose Women's Kaye Adams on the How To Be 60 podcast, Shaun unexpectedly disclosed some personal updates about his romantic life.
Carefully playing his cards close to his chest, he quipped: "I suppose I'm married to my career. Put it that way. I like that. I prefer that and I'm happier."
When pressed about a significant other, Shaun simply stated: "Yes, I'm in a relationship."
Never raising children
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The 64-year-old typically reticent about his private affairs, offered insights into his personal life during a recent appearance on a podcast, revealing information often shielded from the limelight.
Addressing the topic of fatherhood, Shaun admitted: "No, I have never had a child."
He attributed his decision not to start a family to the demands of his budding barrister career, indicating that climbing the legal ladder hardly seemed compatible with responsible parenting.
Shaun elaborated on his reasoning during the podcast, saying: "It was a conscious reason when I was a young struggling barrister. I didn't think it would be right to bring up a child when you're trying to climb to the top of that greasy pole."
While he has not had any children of his own, Shaun has assumed a nurturing role in the lives of many as a godfather, undertaking parental responsibilities multiple times over.
Shaun expressed unwavering satisfaction with his life decisions, declaring: "And I've never regretted that decision. I've got 15 godchildren. Two of them are called Shaun and I'm the best godfather in the world. I probably would have been a great dad but I've got no regrets in relation to that."
Moreover, the television presenter plays a significant part in his ex's child's life, seeing this bond as truly meaningful. Beaming with joy, he explained how she became akin to a daughter for him, with her even referring to him as dad.
With a tone of pure pride, Shaun remarked on witnessing her grow up: "I watched her grow into a lovely young lady. She got a first-class honours degree recently and she got her doctorate the other day and I was there."
Retirement plans
(Image: (Image: ITV))
The ITV star recently marked his 64th birthday, sparking queries from devotees about whether he envisaged hanging up his The Dark Destroyer persona on Bradley Walsh's smash-hit ITV programme, The Chase.
Having been an integral fixture of The Chase since its debut in June 2009, Shaun shows zero signs of wanting to bow out.
During a heart-to-heart with New Zealand Woman's Weekly, he voiced his plan to carry on in his vocation.
He confidently disclosed: "I'm celebrating 40 years in the job this year and I have no plans to retire at 65 - I love it. I love quizzing too, so I will be doing that for as long as I can."
Shaun recognised the transient world of television and maintained a grounded perspective on the longevity of the popular quiz show.
Sharing his thoughts, he said: "I never take being on The Chase for granted. I know it could all end tomorrow, and I still pinch myself that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year."
The Chase is available to watch on ITVX.
