I was on The Chase – I was shocked by a brutal comment from bosses and the whole thing felt like a military operation

A CONTESTANT on The Chase has admitted that being a part of the show was like a "military operation" as he reveals the shocking behind the scenes secrets of the programme.

Tom Williamson impressed when he put in a stellar performance on the ITV quizzing show.

It led to Chaser Shaun Wallace remarking that the computer programmer from Liverpool was one of the best contestants he had ever faced off against during filming.

But for Tom, his time on the quiz show was a far cry from anything he ever expected.

The player spoke to the Express about a number of bizarre encounters from his time filming including a very clear request from show host Bradley Walsh.

Tom told the publication that before the game got underway, they had a "little speech" from the TV presenter in which he demanded that he only be referred to as Brad as opposed to Bradley with him complaining that "Bradley is too formal" for the show.

However, the "military process" began way before Tom even made it to the studio floor - leaving him "overwhelmed" and experiencing something like never before.

The big-money hopeful recalled: "When you get there, you learn that it’s pretty much a military operation.

"It’s just so overwhelming. I’d never experienced an atmosphere like it."

To Tom's surprise, his opening chat with Bradley required plenty of pre-show effort and he was forced to "script" his own conversation with the host despite the fact it aired for only 30 seconds on screen.

Ahead of crafting his script, he had to take part in five one-hour phone conversations with show bosses who attempted to make him TV ready - resulting in them offering a series of huge blows in the process.

During one of the calls, Tom was asked about what he would do with the prize money but his response was brushed off by the producers.

After admitting he would use it to see family in the States, The Chase bosses clapped back and said: "Everyone says that."

It forced Tom to come up with a more elaborate answer.

Elsewhere, he was encouraged to "show up" the Chasers on-screen whenever he could.

He said he was told by bosses: "If you get a question and you’ve got some knowledge on it, if you give the question knowledge then you’re showing the Chaser up."