Friday’s episode of The Chase delivered an outcome few viewers expected, with all four contestants eliminated before the Final Chase and one player brought back to represent the team.

The episode, which aired on ITV on 31 January, saw Bradley Walsh welcome Faith, George, Anne and Jamie as they attempted to take on Darragh Ennis, better known as The Menace.

What followed was a difficult game for the team, with each contestant falling to Darragh in turn. Yet the episode was not quite over. Faith was given a second chance in a dramatic final round and produced a performance that earned plenty of praise from viewers.

A difficult start for the team

Faith was the first contestant to take on Darragh after building up £7,000 in the Cash Builder.

She had made a strong start, but the head-to-head proved a different challenge. Darragh caught her, bringing her time on the show to an early end.

Anne, from Pontypool, was next. She managed to put £4,000 on the table during her Cash Builder, but she too was unable to stay ahead of The Menace when the pressure increased.

George followed with £5,000, but despite his efforts, he could not find a way past Darragh either.

That left Jamie from Liverpool as the team’s final hope.

Jamie struggled in his Cash Builder, answering just one question correctly. He then faced Darragh with the team already needing a turnaround.

It never came.

Jamie was also caught, meaning all four contestants had been eliminated before the Final Chase. The unusual situation prompted viewers to describe the episode as one of the show’s worst team performances.

With nobody left in the usual position to play the final round, the team was given another opportunity.

Faith gets an unexpected second chance

The team had to choose one of the four contestants to return and play the Final Chase alone on their behalf, with the potential for £1,000 each.

Faith was selected.

After being caught earlier in the game, she suddenly found herself back in contention. This time, she had to face the Final Chase without the support of any teammates.

Despite the circumstances, Faith delivered an impressive performance.

She managed to answer 14 questions correctly in two minutes, putting herself in a strong position despite having to take on the challenge alone.

There was still one major obstacle: Darragh.

The Menace eventually caught Faith with 30 seconds remaining, ending the team’s hopes of taking home the prize money.

Although the result was another defeat, Faith’s effort changed the tone of the episode. What had looked like a one-sided contest became a more memorable Final Chase thanks to her performance.

Viewers call it the worst team ever

The unusual episode quickly became a talking point among The Chase audience, with viewers taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions.

Some focused on the team’s poor overall performance.

One viewer summed up the contradiction by writing: “Best worst episode ever.”

Another described them as the “Probably the worst team ever.”

A third wrote: “Might be the worst team of all time #TheChase.”

Another viewer appeared convinced the outcome was already settled, posting: “This game is over, the Menace has absolutely bossed it #TheChase.”

The reaction was not entirely negative, however.

Once Faith entered the Final Chase alone, viewers began praising her for managing to answer 14 questions under such difficult circumstances.

One fan wrote: “14 decent for a single player in front of the others, good effort Faith #TheChase.”

Another said: “Well done to Faith, 14 questions by 1 person is great #TheChase.”

A third agreed, writing: “14 on her own is a cracking effort, sadly it wasn’t enough #TheChase.”

Another simply added: “She did well tbf #TheChase.”

Faith’s performance provides the episode’s turning point

The contrast between the team’s earlier struggles and Faith’s final effort became the defining feature of the episode.

All four contestants had been caught individually, leaving the team without anyone in the Final Chase. Faith was then asked to return and take on Darragh alone, with the outcome resting entirely on her performance.

Although she ultimately fell short, answering 14 questions correctly showed just how much she could produce when given a second opportunity.

Darragh was also supportive of Faith after the Final Chase, congratulating her on her performance despite catching her with time still on the clock

For viewers, that helped give the episode a more positive ending than the earlier rounds had suggested.

A memorable episode for Bradley Walsh too

Bradley Walsh was left to keep the atmosphere upbeat as the team struggled to make an impact against Darragh.

Known for his quick wit and encouraging approach with contestants, the host continued supporting the players despite seeing each one eliminated.

The episode ultimately demonstrated how quickly the fortunes of a Chase team can change. What began with four contestants hoping to build a prize pot ended with every player being caught, followed by an unexpected return for Faith.

Her 14 correct answers in the Final Chase were not enough to beat Darragh, but they gave the episode its most memorable moment and earned her plenty of support from viewers.

The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV1, with episodes available to catch up on ITVX.