Bradley Walsh Reveals Secret Trick to Stop Himself Laughing on The Chase as Producers Deliberately Try to Catch Him Out

Bradley Walsh has revealed the unusual technique he uses to avoid bursting into laughter while presenting ITV’s The Chase, admitting that the show’s question writers deliberately try to make him lose his composure on camera.

The television favourite has become famous for his uncontrollable laughing fits during the popular quiz programme, with some of his most memorable moments occurring when an innocent-looking question takes an unexpectedly amusing turn.

However, Walsh previously explained that he had developed a way to recognise potentially troublesome questions before they caught him off guard.

Producers Deliberately Try to Make Bradley Laugh

Speaking to Radio Times in an interview published in January 2022, Walsh revealed that the show’s production team had become increasingly determined to provoke his famous giggling fits.

He explained that quiz expert Olav Bjortomt, who works on the programme’s questions, collaborates with other writers to find material capable of catching the presenter by surprise.

The strategy followed several memorable incidents in which Walsh struggled to finish reading questions because he was laughing so hard.

One particularly famous example involved a question mentioning German skier Fanny Chmelar.

Walsh found the name so amusing that he struggled to continue, with tears streaming down his face.

Even Anne Hegerty, normally one of the show’s most composed Chasers, was unable to contain her laughter.

The moment became one of the programme’s most widely remembered clips.

Bradley’s Secret Technique for Staying Serious

After years of unexpected surprises, Walsh developed a simple mental strategy.

Rather than reading every question without preparation, he now pays attention to wording that might lead to an embarrassing or humorous interpretation.

If he notices something that could become a joke, he mentally prepares himself before saying it aloud.

Sometimes his suspicions prove correct. On other occasions, the question turns out to be completely innocent.

The presenter explained that this approach helps him anticipate possible moments of laughter without knowing the questions in advance.

He also emphasised that he does not read the questions beforehand, meaning his reactions on screen are genuine.

The Moment His Technique Failed Again

Despite his efforts, Walsh admitted that his strategy was far from foolproof.

During the 2022 interview, he recalled filming a celebrity edition of The Chase in which one particularly funny question caused him to lose control once again.

He suggested that the production team were delighted whenever their attempts succeeded.

At the time, the episode had not yet aired, leaving viewers waiting to discover which question had managed to defeat his carefully developed technique.

The admission offered an amusing insight into the relationship between Walsh and the programme’s writers, who have learned to use his spontaneous reactions as part of the show’s entertainment.

Why Bradley Must Be Careful When Reading Questions

Although his laughing fits provide memorable television moments, Walsh also revealed that reading questions correctly is taken extremely seriously behind the scenes.

He explained that compliance lawyers remain in the studio during filming to ensure the competition is conducted fairly.

If he misreads a question, recording can be stopped immediately so the mistake can be corrected.

The question must then be repeated with precise attention to timing, ensuring neither the contestants nor the Chaser gains an unfair advantage.

According to Walsh, the programme can record as many as three episodes in a day, making accuracy and consistency particularly important.

The Unexpected Appeal of Bradley’s On-Screen Laughter

For many viewers, Walsh’s inability to keep a straight face has become one of the most entertaining aspects of The Chase.

His spontaneous reactions offer moments of comedy during an otherwise competitive quiz format.

While the question writers may enjoy testing his self-control, Walsh’s attempts to stay serious have become almost as entertaining as the occasions when he fails.

And although he now has a method for spotting potentially hilarious questions, the presenter has acknowledged that some moments are simply impossible to resist.

The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1, with episodes also available through ITV’s streaming service.

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