Tim McCarthy, The Chase Contestant, Took £100k Secret to the Grave
In a story that has left fans of The Chase both amazed and heartbroken, Tim McCarthy, a retired headteacher from Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, quietly passed away a month before his televised £100,000 victory was broadcast.
Tim, 64, had been living with a terminal illness and only shared the news of his staggering win with his immediate family. Despite his diagnosis, he remained determined to compete on the show, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
“It was a very narrow victory, but he won. He was overjoyed when he won, but we had to keep it secret – he beat The Chaser by a second with his fellow competitor,” his wife Rachel McCarthy told BBC News.
The episode, filmed in October last year, saw Tim go head-to-head with Jenny “The Vixen” Ryan. Alongside teammates Lorcan, Shirin, and Julie, he braved nerve-wracking questions and high-stakes decisions.
Lorcan contributed £5,000 to the prize pot, but Shirin and Julie were eliminated during their rounds. Tim, despite a shaky start with just £1,000 in the cash builder, boldly selected the £95,000 offer. His gamble paid off, securing the £100,000 jackpot.
Sadly, Tim’s declining health meant he never had the chance to enjoy his prize. Rachel said, “Sadly, we never got to spend his £50,000 prize as his health deteriorated and we couldn’t even go on a holiday.”
On August 27, friends and family gathered in a Manchester pub to watch the episode together, finally witnessing Tim’s triumph. Roars of applause filled the room as his loved ones saw the intellect and determination he had kept quiet about for so long.
Rachel reflected on the bittersweet experience, “He was so excited when he got accepted to go on the show. I watched it last night to prepare myself – it is a tough day, but I posted on Facebook that I want it to be a celebration of his life.”
For fans of The Chase, Tim McCarthy’s story is a powerful reminder of courage, ambition, and the bittersweet reality of life. Though he never got to spend his winnings, his victory lives on—and now, the nation can celebrate his remarkable achievement.
