The Chase aired a festive special on Christmas Eve, with ITV viewers quickly left distracted by one detail

The Chase host Bradley Walsh announced a format change in the latest episode of the quiz show, leaving fans “speechless”.

The popular programme broadcast a special Christmas edition on December 24, featuring comedian Lucy Porter, Countdown presenter Colin Murray, Strictly Come Dancing vocalist Tommy Blaize, and actor-comedian Asim Chaudhry facing off against five Chasers.

Each Chaser donned festive dinner-themed costumes, with the Beast appearing as a Christmas Pudding, the Vixen as a Brussels sprout, and the Menace as a Pig in Blanket. The Sinnerman came dressed as a Turkey, whilst the Governess portrayed a Christmas Cracker.

Lucy kicked off proceedings against a Chaser, impressively securing £10,000 in the cash builder round, which presenter Bradley described as “very, very rare”, reports Bristol Live.

The Chase aired a festive episode on Christmas Eve (Image: ITV)

However, ITV audiences soon found themselves distracted by the Chasers’ peculiar costumes, especially Darragh Ennis’s take on a Pig in Blanket.

“I’m going to need some recovery time after that,” one viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter), whilst another remarked: “Err……… ahem…… I’m speechless.”

A third commented: “Omg why is Darragh a pig in blanket. Hilarious,” with another echoing: “I can’t cope with the outfits they’ve put on the Chasers. Proper distracting.”

Meanwhile, a fifth viewer expressed bewilderment at the Vixen’s costume selection, posting: “Sprouts are the most REVOLTING vegetable…. why @jenlion. Why? SOBS.”

Lucy, Colin and Tommy advanced to the final chase at the episode’s conclusion, vying for a jackpot of £16,000. The team managed to answer 14 questions correctly.

The Chasers were dressed as Christmas lunch items (Image: ITV)

“We’ll need some push backs and a lot of them,” Bradley observed, just as Paul Sinha emerged, amusingly dressed as a Turkey.

“I think they put too much pressure on Lucy… That said, 14 is a competitive score and I’ve got to do my business, really,” the Chaser commented. The Sinnerman was in top form, catching up with the contestants with 57 seconds to spare.

Paul wrapped up by saying: “It was a great team, and on paper, it looked like a superb team that were going to score highly. But I think the wheels came off a little bit with Asim’s overconfidence.”

Earlier in the week, The Chase broadcast another festive special featuring the Chasers in costume once more, this time each personifying a character from The Addams Family.