Some people get tattoos as a way of self expression, others to commemorate a loved one, but one woman decided to get a permanent inking to remember her time on ITV's The Chase.
Clever contestant 50-year-old Sam Chaffey, a job centre manager took home £7,600 after banking an impressive £23,000 on the show.
She splashed £200 of her winnings on a tattoo of an iceberg and 'The Chase' written in cursive waves underneath, leaving game show host Bradley Walsh stunned. Unfortunately, her pals think the ink is "naff".
Claiming she has no regrets despite what her friends and family think, Sam has been branded "iconic" online by people who are loving her new ink and is now eyeing up even more game show themed body art.
Returning from an Alaskan cruise, another inspiration behind the tattoo design, Sam, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, said: "I wanted a tattoo for ages but it took me years to actually put something on paper, because once it's done it's permanent.
"I turned 50 last year and I thought 'I'll get a tattoo for my 50th, I'm at the age now where I can commit. I thought 'what shall I have?'
"Jon Bon Jovi is the love of my life but I'm probably a bit too old for that. I'm far too old for a picture of his face on me.
"So, I just thought 'being on a gameshow is quite an achievement, let's commemorate it permanently with ink on my arm'.
"As soon as I knew I was having a tattoo, I thought 'I'm having an iceberg and 'The Chase' as waves'.
"I'd already planned it out before I went on the show. It's as good a tattoo as any.
"My friends and family all thought it was a bit naff to be quite honest, but I just think it's different.
"There's a tale behind it. I don't regret it for a minute, I love it.
"I'm just glad I really liked the holiday because I thought, 'God what if the holiday is a disaster' and there's a permanent reminder on me?'."
Despite having her quirky tattoo planned out months earlier, Sam didn't actually think she'd actually win when up against the show's well-known brainbox the 'Sinnerman' Paul Sinha.
Sam said: "My legs were a bit wobbly, like they were jiggling all over the street.
"I really didn't think I'd win. I'm alright at quizzes, I'm confident.
"I only went on it because my daughter said 'you're the cleverest person I know', which I thought was lovely.
"That's why I started applying. I was watching loads of [re-runs] of The Chase. I got the quiz book and everything.
"I was really surprised that we won, to be honest.
"I had an aunty and uncle who went around the world. They always said the best holiday they ever went on was the Alaskan cruise.
"So, I thought [I'll get] a tattoo for that and to commemorate the show. Why not?
"I'm happy with it, the tattoo artist did a really good job."
On the show, which aired on ITV on June 7th, Sam said: "I'm going to get my first tattoo, because at the age of 50 I feel like I can finally commit.
"My first tattoo is going to be an iceberg with The Chase written as waves underneath it."
Despite looking puzzled, host Bradley replied: "Why not?"
The mum hopes to continue doing more game shows after her successful ITV stint, eyeing up more tattoos as well as hoping for cash to get her eyes lasered and a new motor for her daughter.
Sam said: "Next I want to go on The 1% Club, that's what I'm aiming for.
"I thought 'I need to win big now', I'm on all or nothing now. My daughter wants a new car and I need my eyes lasered.
"If I won The 1% Club, I may get another tattoo as well."
The Chase's Tiktok account shared a clip of the funny exchange on June 6th that went viral, racking up 310,000 views and 28,400 likes.
Many flooded the comments section branding her "iconic" and a "queen" for her quirky tattoo design.
Sam said: "Going viral has felt mad. After I went on, I thought 'oh I shouldn't have said this and I shouldn't have said that'.
"I thought 'I wasn't very good'. I was amazed. My daughter said 'Oh you're on TikTok!'. It was just mad.
"It was quite heartwarming. There are so many stories about trolls, but genuinely it was lovely really. The people on TikTok and Instagram have been really lovely."
ITV posted it to TikTok with the caption: "Contestant Sam is a relatable icon [laughing emoji] #TheChase #tattoos #crochet".
One person commented: "I love her so much."
Another wrote: "I want to be her when I grow up".
One commented said: "Is she for real about that tattoo?"
A final added: "Genuinely iconic."
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