I worked as a question writer on shows like The Weakest Link and QI, but it was quizzing as a hobby for my whole life that led me to The Chase. Recruiting Anne Hegerty, aka The Governess, onto my quiz team at a local pub quiz league in Bolton was a turning point. One day, she told me the producers were looking for a new Chaser. She put my name forward and - I’d like to say the rest is history - but it wasn’t that easy!

I had to do a general knowledge test every week and go through all sorts of meetings, auditions, and screen tests – including a test for on-screen chemistry with Bradley Walsh. It’s like when they’re choosing a new Doctor Who or landlady of the Queen Vic; it’s a big decision, so the producers have to get it right, but it’s my dream job.

For each of my auditions, I wore some kind of leopard print, so the producers decided that I should have an animal nickname. Their original idea was The Cougar, which has other connotations! Then, Bradley Walsh came up with The Vixen, because of my red hair, and foxes are clever and cunning. The producers immediately said: “That’s a fantastic idea, we’re going with it!”.

There’s so much new every single day. We watch the news, keep up to date with sport, politics, what’s in the pop charts, in the soaps. Everything is potentially a question! Then, we keep on top of the classic general knowledge, so we’re always learning and practising. Most of us still take part in quiz leagues to keep our brains sharp. It’s as much about being able to recall the information under pressure. 

He’s been kind and generous from the moment I walked on set, like a mentor, and we often have a bit of a giggle. On my first day of recording, I was the most nervous I’ve ever been and he made a point of telling me about his first day on set, working with Bob Monkhouse. He passed on Bob’s words of wisdom to him: ‘Brad, stop worrying because you’ve already got the job’. He was basically saying, the hard bit was getting the job and now,  I can enjoy it. 

I do love performing. Getting onto the stage is scary, but once I’m out there, I get a real buzz. Performing in front of a live audience gives you a real thrill - that immediate response and validation. I can see why pop singers carry on touring for decades! It brings me a lot of joy and, hopefully, it brings the audience joy as well. 

I’m playing The Wicked Queen in Snow White at the Darlington Hippodrome, alongside Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates. Typecasting a little bit, playing the villain, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s such a brilliant experience - it’s a big part of Christmas for so many families. It’s a multi-generational thing and the kids’ first taste of theatre as well, which is so important.

This year, it’s going to be just me and my parents. They’re driving up to spend Christmas Day, my one day off, with me. We’re very traditional. We like our turkey, lots of lovely sides. If my mum’s doing the cooking, I look forward to lashings of mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, and she even cooks Brussels sprouts, just for me, because I’m the only person that likes them.