Beat the Chasers returns to ITV on Monday, May 16 but fans will notice that one of the famous quizzers is missing from the line-up. Anne Hegerty, better known by her stage name The Governess, is not featured on the new series as she was isolating with Covid during filming.
The production team were faced with the challenging task of finding a replacement. Luckily for them, one had already been established on an international version of the popular show. Meet Issa Schultz - The Supernerd. With a title like, The Supernerd, it would be fair to assume that Issa, 38, knows his stuff.
Born in 1984 in Cornwall, Issa told The Sun: “I got a last-minute call to step into The Governess’ cold and chilly shoes. What a delight.” The quizzer joins fellow UK Chasers, Mark Labbett, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan, Shaun Wallace and Darragh Ennis as contestants prepare to take them on. The Governess herself has shown her support for Issa by retweeting a video message from him.
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Issa has appeared on The Chase: Australia since its conception in 2015 alongside UK Chaser Anne Hegerty and therefore is a natural choice to fill her famous shoes. Perhaps over-qualified for the role, Issa is an eight-time winner of the Australian Quizzing Championships. He has also made appearances on The Rich List, which is an Australian alternative of Who Dares Wins, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Despite being born in Cornwall, Issa moved to Australia from the UK in 1995. The family settled in Tewantin, Queensland and Issa attended Noosa District State High School.
Every Chaser has their own unique look and Issa is no different. Opting for a bow-tie and a crushed velvet jacket, Issa said on his Instagram: “Quite nervous about this, and I’m back in Brisbane so I won’t get to see it live sorry.”
Talking to The Radio Times, Issa said: “Bradley Walsh [has been so welcoming] - he just knows how to make someone relaxed whether they’re a contestant or a new person or whatever.” Bradley, who has hosted The Chase since 2009, will return to host Beat the Chasers, which began in 2020 and returns for it’s fifth series.
With Issa stepping in to give the Chasers a helping hand, how will he do up against the contestants? Beat the Chasers returns on ITV at 8pm on Monday, May 16 and is on every weekday this week.
