Why ITV's The Chase isn't on this week with new show Lingo in its slot instead

Quizzers and ITV viewers have been left disappointed as hit quiz series The Chase has been pulled from air this week. The popular series, hosted by Bradley Walsh, is usually broadcast on ITV at 5pm each weekday evening - but this week the programme won't be on our screens.

Instead, the coveted after-work 5pm slot has been filled with the newest series of word-based game show Lingo, hosted by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Fortunately, The Chase spin-off series Beat The Chasers will still be aired this week - in its usual 9pm to 10pm slot on ITV.

Fans were disappointed to see that The Chase was not in its usual spot on the TV schedule, with one fan, Liam, tweeting: "No #thechase tonight.... booooooo."

ITV has confirmed Beat The Chasers will air at 9pm. It is understood this is because the channel wants to avoid airing two similar quiz shows close together - and that this may be the reason The Chase isn't on this week.

Read more: Bradley Walsh describes contestant's surprising name as an 'omen' on ITV's The Chase

The Chase first aired in 2009 and quickly gained a cult following. The series sees regular members of the public pitted against a professional quizzer with general knowledge questions before a nail-biting final round against the quizzer - known as 'the chaser' - and the clock. Contestants have been known to walk away with thousands of pounds or, if they got answers wrong and were "caught" by the chaser, sadly leaving with nothing.

Among the quizzers, The Beast is one of the most popular chasers. Before his ITV fame, he worked as a maths and PE supply teacher in Wales and one of his former pupils competed against him in a recent episode.

Contestant Neil, 39, told presenter Bradley Walsh that The Beast - real name