Comedian Joe Pasquale Joins ITV's Beat The Chasers as New Masked Chaser Maverick

Joe Pasquale made a surprising debut as the masked new Chaser "Maverick" on ITV's Beat the Chasers, replacing Darragh "The Menace" Ennis. While the reveal delighted some fans who enjoyed the twist and speculated about Maverick's identity, others criticized the gimmick, feeling it detracted from the show's established format. Pasquale underwent rigorous preparation with the existing Chasers, including Zoom training sessions to hone his quick-answer skills and adjust to the show's fast pace, as he needed to answer questions promptly without hesitation. Despite the initial mystery and fan theories—including guesses like Jasper Carrott and WWE star Kane—Mark Labbett confirmed all guesses were incorrect prior to the reveal. Pasquale, a longtime friend of host Bradley Walsh, became the show's first celebrity Chaser, adding a fresh dynamic to the popular quiz series. The mixed viewer response highlights the challenges of innovating within a beloved TV format while maintaining audience engagement.