By Salma El-Sakka
The Chase star Mark Labbett offered a mixed review of Million Pound Shot, a new Channel 4 program hosted by Bradley Walsh that initially appeared to be a game show where contestants bet their own money.
Labbett's live commentary
Labbett, known as "The Beast" on the ITV quiz show, live-tweeted his reactions. He praised early production touches, such as contestants using a card machine to transfer cash, and joked about Walsh's attempt at a catchphrase.
Show's purpose revealed
About 20 minutes in, Labbett suspected a pivot to an "evils of gambling" theme and said he had "suddenly lost interest." After the twist was revealed, he wrote, "Thank god for that," calling it an "interesting show" but wishing they had made a good new quiz show instead. He also questioned how the studio audience felt after spending hours on a fake show.
At the end of the broadcast, Walsh informed viewers that what they had witnessed was a performance by actors, designed to expose techniques used by the gambling industry to manipulate customers.
Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, who provided research and appeared on the program, said he hopes it prompts government action against predatory gambling practices. He noted that most tricks shown are legal, regulated by the Gambling Commission, and endorsed by the government, affecting millions in Britain.
