High-profile broadcaster Paul Henry has been revealed as the host of the New Zealand version of hit TV quiz show The Chase.
Henry’s return to TVNZ was announced on Breakfast – the show he last worked for at the network before leaving in 2010.
In The Chase New Zealand he will play the quizmaster role made famous by Bradley Walsh in the British version of the show.
Paul Henry will host four primetime specials for the NZ version of the massively popular quiz show. (Source: Breakfast)
Across four primetime specials, Henry will guide Kiwi contestants through the ultimate battle of brains as they face off against the Chasers in a high-stakes test of knowledge and nerve.
Henry told Breakfast it was “weird” to be return to TVNZ but said the huge popularity of the show had drawn him back.
He said he could not say no to the opportunity to host the “biggest franchise” TV quiz show in the world.
Last year two of three people in New Zealand had watched The Chase.
Henry believed the success of the show was that people watching at home could take part. “You can play along at home as easily as if you’re a contestant.”
Key to The Chase’s success was UK host Bradley Walsh, who was the star of the show but did not act like it.
‘Quite similar’ to Bradley Walsh
“He is the biggest star but he doesn’t behave like he is the biggest star. There’s only one Bradley doing one franchise… and he’s pretty much nailed it.” But he said in terms of personality he thought they were “quite similar”.
Henry added: “I’m looking forward to genuinely having fun”. He would be on the side of the contestants and want them to win.
“One of the things that make The Chase successful is it really is about the contestants.”
Henry said his favourite Chaser was Anne Hegerty.
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“There’s something about that woman, she’s so magnificent in so many ways isn’t she?”
He earlier said: “People might see a slightly different side to me in The Chase, I will really be wanting my teams to win, and I can be enormously charming when I put my mind to it.”
For Henry the new role is a return to TVNZ – and a return to hosting a game show.
His TV career began as the star of Every Second Counts, which aired on TVNZ in the late 1980s.
Remembering Paul Henry’s first game show gig – watch on TVNZ+
The Chase New Zealand specials will follow the popular long-running original format, with 16 New Zealanders showing off their general knowledge prowess during the cash builder rounds, in the hope of winning a substantial cash prize in the final chase.
When the four specials will screen will be announced at a later date.
Which Chasers?
TVNZ has yet to confirm which Chasers will feature on the show, but has said previously: “New Zealanders taking part as contestants will go head-to-head with The Chase Australia’s Chasers, including the possibility of global superstar ‘The Governess’, Anne Hegerty.”
TVNZ commissioned ITV Studios Australia to produce the four-part specials.
The Chase NZ will be filmed at the Australian home of the franchise in Sydney. Applications for New Zealanders keen to take part were open earlier this year.
New Zealand will become the 22nd country where The Chase format is now produced.
The Chase UK is on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+ every day at 5pm.
