New Chaser awkwardly admits he didn’t know who Holly Willoughby was

The Beat The Chasers newcomer Issa Schultz revealed he didn’t know who Holly Willoughby was during an awkward exchange on Wednesday’s This Morning.

The Australian ‘supernerd’ admitted he didn’t recognise the well known presenter when she came up in a question on the ITV show.

Issa, who has replaced Anne Hegerty this series of The Chase spin-off, was tripped up by the English question during his first day in the job.

When asked about the blunder during his interview, he told Holly and her co-host Phillip Schofield: ‘Guilty as charged! It was the first day they asked who replaced Fern Britton on This Morning..

‘Jenny was straight in with it, at the time they were just two names to me – I apologise Holly!’

Issa joins chasers Shaun ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Wallace, Paul ‘The Sinnerman’ Sinha, Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis, Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan and Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett on the panel this year.

Issa is no stranger to The Chase, as he’s been a regular on the Australian series since its launch in 2015, where he is nicknamed The Supernerd. 

Whoops! The Australian ‘supernerd’ admitted he didn’t recognise the well known presenter when she came up in a question on the ITV show

Recalling getting the call for The UK Chase, he said: ‘I was settling down for bed at 1am and I had a call from a UK number and my Australian boss rang me and said I needed to take the call.

‘She said can you get on a plane that morning, seven or eight hours later, and I spent the night packing. 

‘I got on the plane, three flights to get out of Australia, and just about 24 hours and the day I landed we went straight to studio. There was no time for sleep.’

I can explain..! Issa, who has replaced Anne Hegerty this series of The Chase spin-off, was tripped up by the English question during his first day in the job

When asked about the blunder during his interview, he told Holly and her co-host Phillip Schofield: ‘Guilty as charged! It was the first day they asked who replaced Fern Britton on This Morning..’

On the first episode, Mark very kindly said ‘if you’re wondering why he’s quiet, he’s feeling like a zombie’.’

Issa previously revealed another category that leaves him stumped during the quiz show when he admitted that he struggles with sports questions. 

Speaking to TV WEEK, he admitted: ‘Regular viewers will know I’m terrible at most sports’. 

Issa explained: ‘As I’m British by birth, I grew up mainly watching Formula 1, athletics and thrilling episodes of Antiques Roadshow’.

While Issa’s role is only temporary at the moment, with Anne expected to return for the next series, he h previously admitted he’d like to join Beat The Chasers permanently.

‘I’m terrible at sports’: Issa previously revealed another category that leaves him stumped during the quiz show when he admitted that he struggles with sports questions