The Chase fans have branded a contestant 'a disgrace to quiz shows' after he played a 'disgusting' tactic.
Four hopefuls took on Chaser Jenny Ryan, 42, on Thursday's episode of the ITV game show hosted by Bradley Walsh, 64.
The team hit off with a shaky start after Eleanor, 24, didn't manage to beat the Vixen despite her strong cash builder round of £6,000.
Up next was 43-year-old Bev, from Borehamwood, who boldly took Jenny's higher offer of £40,000.
The Vixen exclaimed, 'She's a competitor, I'll give her that!'
Impressively, the sales manager managed to beat the Chaser and added her money to the team prize pot.
'Very impressive stuff, I'd like to say you have nerves of steel but I can see you've gone a bit jellified there... you've got a little while to calm down before that final chase, and I think you're going to be keeping these crossed all the way that you've got two teammates to support you,' Jenny said.
However, when it came to Neil's, 52, turn, he played it safe and took Jenny's lower offer of -£5,000.
But 44-year-old Nick shocked fans when he took an exceptionally high minus offer, knocking a huge £14,000 off the prize pot that Bev had secured for the team.
'Let's go minus £14,000, try and get back, try and win some money,' Nick said.
'That amount of money does make you queasy when you look at it but when you think about it if you can get back now, three being there has massively increased your chances of trying to beat me and you'll still be playing for a decent cash pot, more than quite a few teams have played for in the recent past,' the Chaser commented.
Both players made it back and more than halved the cash between them, though the team of three did not manage to beat Jenny.
She said: 'I will remember this game forever which has had lots of ups and downs. It was absolutely crazy... What a joy to play against you, thank you for giving us a very memorable match.'
Some viewers of the show were outraged by Nick's decision and took to social media to express their thoughts.
One posted on X: 'Only just hearing about this guy taking -£14,000 on #TheChase.
'Utterly shambolic and shameful behaviour. Even if you've only got £1,000 in the cash builder just play for that man.';
'Minus £14k! I could never show my face in public again. #TheChase.'
According to the Liverpool Echo, another said 'Minus £14,000!!!!! Disgusting!'
While someone else reportedly said: '-£14,000!!!!! Nick you’re a disgrace to quiz show TV!';
'Why go on a quiz show that you want to win as much as possible then take 1 £5,000 followed by £14,000 felt sorry for the contestant who got to the £40,000 only for these two numpties to take half of it off the total. #thechase';
'Minus 14k, just to "get back for the team". Cancel the show, it's absolutely pathetic these days. #thechase.'
It comes after Bradley was forced to intervene and warn a contestant ‘don’t waste my time’ as livid viewers raged at his ‘ridiculous’ move on Wednesday.
Host Bradley welcomed four new contestants Anne, Qahir, Katy and Liam to the studio to take on Darragh Ennis, also known as The Menace.
First up was Anne, followed by Qahir who wanted to use the money to take his dad Karim to Uganda.
Qahir managed to get £5,000 in the cash builder round and Darragh offered him -£1,000, £5,000 and £69,000 - and Qahir decided to go with the lowest offer, despite his team-mates telling him to go for the middle amount
Qahir managed to get £5,000 in the cash-builder round and Darragh offered him options of £1,000, £5,000 and £69,000.
Qahir decided to go with the lowest offer, despite his team-mates telling him to go for the middle amount.
When The Menace was one question away from the last one, Bradley told Qahir: 'You’ve been vindicated in going for the minus offer, but it would be an awful waste of my time if you don’t go through now.'
The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1 at 5pm and is available to stream on ITVX.
