‘A true gentleman, a warm, engaging and thoroughly entertaining opponent’
Fans of The Chase were left teary-eyed during the latest episode of the ITV show after Paul Sinha led tributes to a contestant who had passed away in a house fire.
The popular gameshow returned to screens Tuesday with host Bradley Walsh at the helm, while contestants Tom, Estelle, Jessica and Pete trying their best to earn as much money as possible.
The players were tasked with working together to try and take down the Chaser to pocket a large sum of cash, but they were up against Sinha, also known as “Sinnerman”.
The game didn’t get off to a great start, with two contestants being sent home after getting caught.
Jessica went for the high offer of £45,000 and made it back to the team as fans took to social media to praise her actions. But it was Pete who stole the show, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Pete, a dad-of-four, made it back to the final chase after taking the minus offer of -£5,000. The two faced the chaser in a tense final battle but were caught with just one-second remaining.
Pete Green introduced himself as a “semi-retired medieval trader” but had also worked as a scare actor.
One person wrote on X: “Oh I just love Pete.”
Tributes later started coming in as people realised Pete had died in “horrible circumstances” in 2021 aged 72.
Pete died shortly before the episode of The Chase that he starred in hit the airwaves, meaning he never got to see himself on-screen. It aired again this week.
When his episode eventually aired in 2021, some fans watching at home recognised Pete, who lived in the Norfolk market town of Wymondham, having read about his death.
One social media user said: “I remember Pete, he died didn’t he RIP”. Another wrote: “Beloved Pete, God Bless him. Rest in Eternal Peace.”
Sinha also shared a tribute online, writing: “Saddened to hear that Pete from today’s Chase has since passed away in horrible circumstances. A true gentleman, a warm, engaging and thoroughly entertaining opponent.”
Commenting under the post, one viewer gave more insight into the contestant’s life explaining that Pete had been the Town Crier in Wymondham and that his passing was a “great shock to the local community.”
“He had a great send-off with a horse-drawn procession through the town centre, with his family and Steam Punk friends following.”
The TV star then replied: “That is really lovely to hear, Audrey. X.”
Meanwhile another viewer who lived in Pete’s area, said: “This man was well known in a local town and sadly passed away in a house fire a few months ago.”
Pete’s family shared a touching tribute online about him, writing: “You touched so many lives and leave us all with the fondest memories, which will carry us through the tough times ahead.
“A much-loved character across Wymondham, re-enactment and steampunk communities to name but a few. Father of four, grandfather to eight, and companion to Kiki the Jack Russell. You will be sorely missed.”
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