Student Marsha, 20, and retired supply manager Ian, 66, made it to the end of the show where they competed to share a total of £45,000.

They answered 18 questions correctly and proved themselves a formidable partnership.

The Beast felt the pressure and allowed the duo the chance to score a number of pushbacks.

One opportunity saw them posed the question: “In the Bible, King David saw which beautiful woman bathing?”

The Beast answered “Jezebel” which was incorrect.

Marsha then called out “Helen” when Bradley pressed them for an answer, a split second before Ian said “Bathsheba”.

Because she wasn’t the designated team spokesperson, Bradley was unable to accept Ian’s correct answer.

It prompted a viewer to write on X: “Disgraceful making rules up on the spot. Brad.”

Mark saw the comment and replied: “I can guarantee that the adjudicator made that call rather than Brad.”

The fan then said: “I expect they did Mark. But our Brad is the face of the programme, and he was let down.”

Marsha and Ian were caught by The Beast with just one second to spare and the failed pushback proved pivotal.

Other viewers also took the show to task over the decision, with one writing: “Those two contestants in the final Chase on #TheChase have just been royally screwed over.“

Another said: “They were played like a fiddle on that final Chase! Could Bradley go any faster for the beast and that question they wouldn’t allow!! Utter crap.”

A third wrote: “That is absolutely shocking saying the girl was looking at Bradley when giving the answer then the longest 1sec I’ve ever seen at the end shocking indeed.”

Another said that Ian’s biblical answer should have been accepted as he was tasked with answering for the team and Marsha’s simply disregarded.