Coronation Street star Tony Maudsley has opened up about the unexpected nerves he felt while taking part in a Celebrity special of The Chase. The 56-year-old actor is known to millions as George Shuttleworth in the long-running ITV soap - a role he has held down since 2020. For years before his turn on Corrie, Tony won fans for his portrayal as the hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke in hit long-running comedy Benidorm - a show he appeared in from 2011 until 2018.
However, playing a character and being able to immerse himself in lines that have been written seems to be an easier challenge than taking to a panel to answer general knowledge questions. The actor is one of the stars taking part in a festive special of The Chase - which has aired since 2009 and is presented by Bradley Walsh.
Tony has admitted that appearing on the popular game show threw his confidence as he was forced to rely on his own wits to take on one of the chasers. He appears in a new episode alongside After Life actress Kerry Godliman, Olympian Bryony Page and presenter Alexander Armstrong.
Speaking about his time in the game show studio lights, Tony told the Daily Star: "The minute I said yes to going on The Chase, the nerves started to kick in. Faced with a ticking clock, a chance to win big for charity and a studio audience, the pressure and my nerves went through the roof!".
He added: "I’ve been a massive fan of The Chase for years. I love playing along at home from the comfort of my armchair where no one cares or even hears if you get one wrong. It’s all very well shouting the answers at the telly from your sofa at home but the pressure of a studio audience and the very real possibility that you could get every question wrong and might have to do the ‘walk of shame’ on national television is a very different story!".
