Anne Hegerty, the formidable Chaser, has opened up about how her intimidating presence can be too much for some players... as it's all in their heads. "People are quite unnecessarily intimidated by me. Definitely," she said.
The star of the hit quiz show revealed the unrealistic expectations that her competitors hold. "What expectations do they have? Just that I'm going to be completely unbeatable - and then I'll crush them into the ground!" Anne said. 'The Governess' explained the psychological game at play, adding: "People allow themselves to get nervous, and then they get knocked out. If you'd just kept it together, you probably could have got through, but they're panicked!"
On a lighter note, Anne, always ready for a challenge, disclosed who she's itching to test on the show: "I've always said it'd be lovely to have Stephen Fry on the Celeb Chase." However, with a tinge of regret, Anne acknowledged one missed opportunity - a contest against the talented and sadly late John Sessions. "I would have loved to play John, who was a massive fan of [the show], and he was always very, very smart. He always used to say he wasn't the smartest, but he was very, very good!"
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Spotted enjoying some theatrical chills at the play 2:22 A Ghost Story, Anne even joked about how she's up for a mind-battle with spectral celebrities from beyond the grave. So which historical figure does Anne fancy meeting in a spooky encounter? Without a moment's hesitation, she name-dropped the legendary American tunesmith Lorenz Hart, who has been pushing up daisies since 1943.
Then she reeled off another name from the past 18th-century wordsmith Dr. Samuel Johnson, cracking a joke that "If he were a ghost, you wouldn't be able to tell that he didn't change his underwear much!"
Eagerly talking about her fascination with historical figures, she told the Express: "There are just so many dead people I would love to meet," yet disclosed that she doesn't hold any beliefs in the supernatural, reasoning that apparitions can usually be chalked up to natural explanations.
Even so, Anne confessed: "I think they're explainable by natural phenomena," but admitted she's partial to a spooky tale or two, adding, "but one likes a good ghost story if it's done well, of course!" Anne has more than a passing interest in phantoms and poltergeists because she's bagged a role in a spine-chilling ghost movie set to premiere this summer.
She dropped a teaser about her involvement in Exorcising Barry, promising that it won't be excessively grisly - though it will feature themes of demonic possession, exorcism, and even simulated spew. This indie flick, which she's putting together with a friend and aiming to premiere at film festivals shortly, represents a departure from her usual stint as The Governess on The Chaser - but she's looking forward to diversifying.
However, Anne is due back on set for new sessions of The Chase when autumn leaves start falling, ensuring she'll be gracing the telly with fresh episodes of the ITV staple before you know it.