rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
There’s a new Chaser in town!
Brandon Blackwell, aka The Lightning Bolt, is set to make his debut on The Chase Australia.
Perhaps a familiar face, Blackwell joins from The Chase America after competing in world speed-quizzing competitions in the US and UK.
Stream the world’s best reality, entertainment and true-crime shows free on 7plus
He is one of the highest-scoring players of all time on the prestigious British quiz show, University Challenge.
He also secured second place in the under-30 World Quizzing Championship in 2020, and is known for his lightning-fast intellect.
The new Chaser joins a formidable line-up: Goliath, The Beast, The Governess, The Smiling Assassin, The Shark, The Supernerd and Tiger Mum.
Blackwell says he enjoys the daily show style of The Chase Australia, compared to the US version which is less frequent and a bigger event.
“The shows over there are supposed to be a bigger event and the contestants are more ‘quizzy’ people, as opposed to normal people,” he tells 7NEWS.com.au.
“This version feels a lot more relaxed, a lot more enjoyable and chill, there’s a lot more banter.”
He explains that “because there’s so much money at stake in the American version, it feels like there’s not enough time to get that relaxation in”.
“I enjoy the pace and the mood of this version,” he says.
Being a quiz show contestant for 15 years, Blackwell says he understands the pressure and stress of competing.
“I have a lot of experience being a contestant so I empathise with them,” he says.
“It’s so different from watching it from the couch.”
The Chase Australia continues 5.00pm weekdays on Channel 7 and 7plus.