The Chase's Darragh Ennis shares touching connection to nickname on ITV show

Darragh opened up to the broadcaster about his on-screen nickname, 'The Menace' (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Darragh Ennis has revealed that he has a heartwarming family connection to his nickname on the ITV quiz show The Chase. 

In a recent episode of Tonight with Gerry Kelly, Darragh opened up to the broadcaster about his on-screen nickname, 'The Menace', which Gerry said was both "obvious but clever". 

It would appear that Darragh is also a fan of his moniker as he explained that it "just works" by using the first letter of his forename (D) and combining it with his surname to make D Ennis the Menace. But there's another, more touching reason why the name is so perfect for the Chaser. 

When Gerry told him it was a "great nickname", Darragh said: "I know. Well, I didn't know what it was. They didn't tell me so when I first heard it was when I walked out on set - the very first time, yeah." 

He added: "Yeah, it just works and my daughter loves The Beano as well so it all wraps up." Darragh went on to explain that although he didn't pick his own nickname, two other Chasers were able to do so. 

Darragh has a background as a neuroscientist and entomologist (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

It turns out that the show's original chasers, Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace and Mark 'The Beast' Labbett, were afforded the opportunity, but Darragh is still clearly pleased with his own.

Darragh, who has a background as a neuroscientist and entomologist, said that it's "part" of him now and he "can't escape" it, revealing that he signs his name, 'The Menace', in inverted commas. 

The Irish quizzer, who lives in Oxford with his wife and two children, is the only contestant to ever switch to a role as a Chaser, having previously worked as a lab manager and researcher. 

He recently told the Liverpool ECHO that he'd now left his "real job" behind as he explores new opportunities that arise as a result of his work on the ITV show. 

The Irish quizzer lives in Oxford with his wife and two children (Image: Getty Images)

Darragh explained that scientists are "not that well paid", but his appearance on the show as a contestant has proven to be a pivotal moment for him, leading to his career in front of the cameras. 

However, not all of the Chasers are quite as keen on their nicknames. In October, Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha told an audience at the Roundhouse that it was a "s**t nickname", reports the Sun. 

Paul said: “It’s a s**t nickname. It means nothing. I don’t mind, I feel I’ve dodged a bullet given the names of the other Chasers — The Governess, The Vixen, The Menace, The Beast, and The Dark Destroyer."

He continued: “I’m the only Chaser who’s not named after a sex toy. I have to tell you that hours of research went into that joke.”