I met the Dark Destroyer from The Chase at a pub quiz in Birmingham

Shaun Wallace, aka the Dark Destroyer was in Birmingham last night (Thursday, April 6) where he took part in the ultimate pub quiz.

The star from ITV’s The Chase, hosted by Bradley Walsh, challenged locals who were brave enough to take him on in a battle of general knowledge at the Old Crown in Digbeth.

It was a great evening, with locals taking on the Dark Destroyer to win prizes which included free bar tabs. We caught up with Shaun just before the quiz got underway to discuss his rise as one of the UK’s best known quizmasters and to see what he loves about Birmingham.

Speaking to BirminghamWorld about his journey to becoming the world’s first Chaser, Shaun said: “I was always fascinated with quizzing ever since I was a little kid. After winning Mastermind in 2004, I decided to retire because where would I go? They wouldn’t let me be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? because they knew I’d win £1 million without even using a lifeline.

“So I was asked to come out of retirement in 2008 and to become an Egghead and I got all the way to the grand final, but got beaten again, retired again, was asked to come out of retirement again for an audition for The Chase and I was the world’s first chaser, and here I am 13 years later still pinching myself that I’m in such an exciting game show.” Shaun, who still practices law as a barrister, went on to reveal his favourite things about Birmingham, a city he still visits often.

‘I love the people’

“I like the people, he said. “I used to know the city quite well and now it’s undergone a wonderful transformation in terms of the buildings and things like that. I like the diversity and the cosmopolitan in terms of the people who make up this wonderful second city.

He added: “When I do stay in Birmingham I always have a fantastic time. I know quite a few people in Birmingham and it’s like my second home really, so people always treat me with love and respect when I come here.” The Dark Destroyer also revealed how his job as a barrister helped him turn into the quizmaster he is today.

He said: “The mind is a wonderful thing and no information is rubbish information, so don’t underestimate the power of your brain and what it can store and retain. People will be surprised with what they have forgotton and what they suddenly can spring from their mind.

“I’m a trained barrister and i’m trained to think on my feet and retain information, and i’m not saying this to be glib, but anyone can do what I do, if you’ve got passion for learning and that’s why you should always focus and feed your mind and keep it interested.

“Learning is a life-long skill which you can accumulate over the years - Rome wasn’t built in a day - and I didn’t become a Chaser over night, so it’s something i’ve developed over the years, it’s like a superpower really.”

If you fancy meeting a Chaser from the ITV show, then you could be in with a chance. Mark Labbett (AKA The Best) will be at The Old Crown on Wednesday April 19. You can book tickets here