Darragh Ennis

Darragh Ennis is an Irish entomologist, neuroscientist, professional quizzer, and television personality. He is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford and is known as one of the "chasers" on the ITV game show The Chase.[2]

Darragh Ennis
Born1979 or 1980 (age 42–43)[1]
Dublin, Ireland
Other namesThe Menace
Alma materMaynooth University
Occupation(s)Entomologist, neuroscientist, quizzer, television personality
Years active2015–present
EmployerITV
Known forThe Chase
Children2

Early life and science career

Ennis was born in Dublin, and grew up in Rathcoole.[3] He studied at Maynooth University, graduating with a BSc in biology in 2003, and a PhD in ecology in 2008. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a biomedical scientist at ICON for a year before undertaking postdoctoral research at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, from 2010 until 2012. Since 2013, he has worked as a laboratory manager and research technician in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, where he specialises in researching the brains of insects.[4][5][6]

Television

In 2015, Ennis appeared as a contestant on the game show Rebound, but was eliminated in the "Stop the Bar" round.

In 2017, Ennis was a member of a winning team on The Chase. He earned £9,000 in his Cash Builder round and defeated chaser Paul Sinha to take this money into the Final Chase. The other three contestants also advanced, but each of them took low offers from Sinha so that the final prize total was £6,300.[7] Outraged viewers set up a GoFundMe campaign to compensate Ennis for his share of the money lost through his teammates' decisions. Ennis requested for all money to be donated to charity.[8]

In April 2020, Ennis was announced as the sixth chaser on The Chase, alongside Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha and Jenny Ryan.[9][10] His Chaser-debut episode was aired on 19 November 2020. His debut brought in 4.9 million viewers, making it the most watched episode of The Chase ever.[11]

Personal life

Ennis lives in Oxford with his wife, a fellow scientist whom he met at Maynooth, and their two children.[12]

Ennis speaks fluent Irish and German, in addition to English. A former Gaelic footballer, he is a founding member of Oxford GAA, and serves as the club's registrar. He supports Dublin GAA and Liverpool FC.[13][14]

Filmography
Year Title Role Channel
2015 Rebound Contestant ITV
2017 The Chase
2020–present Chaser/The Menace
2021–present Beat the Chasers

References
  1. "The Chase unveils new Chaser Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis". ITV. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  2. "The Chase introduces new Chaser: Who is Darragh Ennis?". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  3. Gallagher, Jim (3 May 2021). "Darragh Ennis makes surprising admission as he opens up on missing Ireland". Buzz.ie. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  4. "The Chase | Who is new Chaser Darragh Ennis?". ABC 14 News. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. "The Chase recruits former contestant Darragh Ennis as first new Chaser in five years". amp.heart.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  6. Nickell, Amy (18 December 2020). "Inside The Chase stars' real lives as new chaser Darragh Ennis is announced". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  7. "New Chaser Darragh Ennis a former contestant who refused donations after huge loss on the show". NZ Herald. 17 April 2020. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. Randell, Louise (16 April 2020). "The Chase's new recruit Darragh Ennis lost thousands in disastrous turn as contestant". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  9. "The Chase: Darragh Ennis joins ITV quiz show as new chaser | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV | Express.co.uk". www.express.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  10. "Irish scientist Darragh Ennis joins The Chase as new Chaser". Her.ie. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  11. "The Chase breaks record with highest rating show ever". Press Centre. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  12. Highfield, Anna (16 August 2021). "Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis' marriage, net worth, and proposals from fans". MyLondon. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  13. Ennis, Darragh [@bones_giles] (21 November 2020). "Fun fact: having two small children means someone in that household will be sick on average for 29 weeks of the year. So there's more time when someone is ill each year than when everyone is healthy" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. McCoid, Sophie (29 May 2021). "Darragh Ennis' life away from The Chase with uni sweetheart". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
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