# Shaun Wallace

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British television personality and barrister

For similarly named people, see [Shaun Wallace (disambiguation)](/source/Shaun_Wallace_(disambiguation)).

Not to be confused with [Wallace Shawn](/source/Wallace_Shawn).

Shaun Wallace Wallace receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Law in 2015 Born Shaun Anthony Linford Wallace[1] (1960-06-02) 2 June 1960 (age 66)[2] London, England Other names The Dark Destroyer (UK and New Zealand) The Destroyer (Australia) Occupations Barrister, part-time lecturer and television personality Notable credit(s) The Chase (2009–present) The Chase Australia (2018)

**Shaun Anthony Linford Wallace** (born 2 June 1960) is an English [barrister](/source/Barrister), lecturer and television personality. He is one of the six "chasers" on the [ITV](/source/ITV_Network) quiz show *[The Chase](/source/The_Chase_(British_game_show))*. Wallace is a part-time lecturer and visits schools, colleges and other institutions to educate students on aspects of law. In 2004, he won *[Mastermind](/source/Mastermind_(TV_series))* and was ranked 286th in the World Quizzing Championships in 2012.

## Early life

Wallace was born on 2 June 1960 at [Central Middlesex Hospital](/source/Central_Middlesex_Hospital) in [London](/source/London). He grew up in [Wembley](/source/Wembley) and briefly attended [Copland School](/source/Ark_Elvin_Academy).[3] He struggled academically, failing his O-level English examination four times.[4] He graduated from the [Polytechnic of North London](/source/University_of_North_London#Polytechnic_of_North_London) with a Law BA in 1983.[5]

## Career

### Law

Wallace was [called to the Bar](/source/Call_to_the_bar) in November 1984[6] and in 1986 completed pupilage. He has taken part in hearings held at both the [Old Bailey](/source/Old_Bailey) as well as several [magistrates' courts](/source/Magistrates'_court_(England_and_Wales)) located in [England and Wales](/source/England_and_Wales) and also in [Scotland](/source/Scotland). He was a member of [Farringdon](/source/Farringdon%2C_London) Barristers Chambers until February 2012, when it was announced that he had joined Great James Street Chambers.[7]

On 26 October 2016, Wallace was found to have failed to comply with his duty while representing a defendant in criminal proceedings.[8][6] He was reprimanded and fined £2500.

Wallace is also a member of the southeastern circuit of the Criminal Bar Association. Owing to his heritage, he has been a member of the [Jamaican Bar](/source/Jamaican_Bar) since 1999.[9]

### Television

In 2004, Wallace became a champion of the [BBC](/source/BBC) [general knowledge quiz](/source/Game_show) *[Mastermind](/source/Mastermind_(TV_series))*, which also tests a contestant's aptitude on a subject of their choice. His specialist subject in the final was [FA Cup Finals](/source/FA_Cup_Final).

Wallace was a finalist on the first series of *[Are You an Egghead?](/source/Are_You_an_Egghead%3F)*, narrowly losing out to [Barry Simmons](/source/Barry_Simmons).[10]

Other shows that he has been a contestant on include *[Fifteen to One](/source/Fifteen_to_One)* and *[The Weakest Link](/source/The_Weakest_Link)*,[9] plus the British adaptation of *[Greed](/source/Greed_(UK_game_show))*.[11]

Since 2009, Wallace has appeared as a "chaser" on the UK television series *[The Chase](/source/The_Chase_(British_game_show))*, a teatime game show which airs on [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)). His nickname on the show is "The Dark Destroyer". The other chasers are [Anne Hegerty](/source/Anne_Hegerty), [Paul Sinha](/source/Paul_Sinha), [Mark Labbett](/source/Mark_Labbett), [Jenny Ryan](/source/Jenny_Ryan) and [Darragh Ennis](/source/Darragh_Ennis).[12] He also appears on *The Chase: Celebrity Special*, *The Family Chase*, and *Beat The Chasers*. In 2018, he featured as a guest chaser on the [Australian version of the show](/source/The_Chase_Australia), alongside fellow UK chasers Hegerty and Labbett.[13] In Australia, he is known as "The Destroyer" owing to Australian concerns that the original nickname contained racial undertones, which Wallace himself disputed.[14]

In 2018, his autobiography, *Chasing the Dream*, was released.[15]

In 2019, Wallace appeared on the celebrity version of *[Catchphrase](/source/Catchphrase_(British_game_show))*.[16] He also appeared as a guest in "Dictionary Corner" on the [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4) gameshow *[Countdown](/source/Countdown_(game_show))*. Wallace took part in the "Junk Food Experiment" in 2019.

In June 2020, Wallace appeared as an assistant in *[Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow](/source/Alan_Carr's_Epic_Gameshow)*, for the "[Take Your Pick!](/source/Take_Your_Pick!)" episode. In October 2020, Wallace appeared as a Black history month reporter for *[Good Morning Britain](/source/Good_Morning_Britain_(2014_TV_programme))*. In November 2020, Wallace took part as a contestant in [ITV's](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) *Don't Rock The Boat*, a rowing competition show.[17]

### Political activity and public activism

Wallace addresses a rally supporting the industrial action outside the Supreme Court, London, 11 July 2022

At the [2005 UK general election](/source/2005_United_Kingdom_general_election), Wallace stood as an [independent](/source/Independent_politician) [parliamentary candidate](/source/Parliamentary_candidate), standing in the [Brent South](/source/Brent_South_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) constituency in north London.[18] He came fifth obtaining 297 votes (1.17% of the vote), losing to [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK))'s [Dawn Butler](/source/Dawn_Butler) with 17501 votes (69.23% of the vote).

In 2022, he supported the [criminal barristers' industrial action](/source/2022_British_barristers'_industrial_action) over pay. Joining colleagues on a [picket line](/source/Picketing) outside the [Supreme Court](/source/Supreme_Court_of_England_and_Wales) in London, Wallace said that [legal aid](/source/Legal_aid) fees should be increased to encourage young people and those from a diversity of backgrounds to become barristers.[19]

## Personal life

He is of [Jamaican](/source/Jamaican_people) heritage and is the eldest of four children. He is a football fan and a supporter of [Chelsea](/source/Chelsea_F.C.).[20]

In 2022, Wallace appeared on the ITV programme *DNA Journey*, which revealed many details about his African ancestry in [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria), his Caribbean ancestry in [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica) and many other links to several other African countries besides Nigeria.[21]

Shaun is a practising Christian, having been brought up with Christian values.[4]

## Television

Year Title Role Channel 2009–present The Chase Chaser ITV 2018 The Chase Australia (guest chaser) Channel 7 2019 Celebrity Catchphrase Contestant ITV 2019 Countdown Guest Channel 4 2019 The Junk Food Experiment Himself ITV 2020, 2022 Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow Himself; assistant 2020 Sorry, I Didn't Know Himself 2020 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh 2020 Don't Rock The Boat Contestant 2021 The Chasers Road Trip: Trains Brains and Automobiles Himself 2022 DNA Journey Himself

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Brent_2005_1-0)** ["Election results for Brent South"](http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=30). Brent London Borough Council. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "The Chase". 2 April 2012. {{[cite episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_episode)}}: Missing or empty |series= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#citation_missing_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Shaun Wallace and how ITV's The Chase began! KKPC #22"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTvkyqnAiM). *YouTube*. 10 July 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) Burrows, Matt (11 June 2023). ["Chaser Shaun Wallace tells John about his upbringing, winning Mastermind, and who inspires him in life"](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/real-life/audio/shaun-wallace-the-dark-destroyer/). *NewstalkZB*. Retrieved 1 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Shaun Wallace"](https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/students/shaun-wallace/). *London Metropolitan University*. Retrieved 1 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BDT_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BDT_6-1) ["Past findings and future hearings:Disciplinary Finding Details"](https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/complaints-and-professional-conduct/disciplinary-tribunals-and-findings/past-findings-and-future-hearings/?DisciplineID=165445). [Bar Standards Board](/source/Bar_Standards_Board). 26 October 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Shaun Wallace joins chambers Great James Street"](http://greatjames.co.uk/chambers-are-pleased-to-welcome-shaun-wallace-to-chambers). [Great James Street](/source/Great_James_Street). February 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Quiz show barrister fined and reprimanded by BSB"](https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/quiz-show-barrister-fined-and-reprimanded-by-bsb/5058668.article). *[Law Gazette](/source/Law_Gazette)*. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Farringdon_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Farringdon_9-1) ["Farringdon Chambers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326073228/http://www.farringdon-law.co.uk/shaunwallace/). Archived from [the original](http://www.farringdon-law.co.uk/shaunwallace/) on 26 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["BBC - Press Office - Brand new Egghead joins Champion quiz team on BBC Two"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/12_december/02/eggheads.shtml). *www.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 28 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *[Greed](/source/Greed_(UK_game_show))*. Season 1. Episode 11. 9 June 2001. [Channel 5](/source/Channel_5_(UK)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ennis_12-0)** Morris, Lauren (17 April 2020). ["The Chase introduces new Chaser: Who is Darragh Ennis?"](https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-04-17/the-chase-new-chaser-who-is-darragh-ennis/). *Radio Times*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Byrne, Fiona (31 December 2017). ["Gossip Queen: The Chase UK's Shaun Wallace to be guest Chaser in 2018"](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/fiona-byrne/gossip-queen-the-chase-uks-shaun-wallace-to-be-guest-chaser-in-2018/news-story/b4013451698d967e1613c0cab97f0c74). *Herald Sun*. Retrieved 1 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Chaser Shaun Wallace: 'Dark Destroyer' nickname not racist"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-chases-shaun-wallace-hits-back-at-claims-his-dark-destroyer-nickname-is-racist/Z5LENVSMLXY2BQ6ZEETJLTGRDY/). *New Zealand Herald*. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Shaun Wallace – Chasing the Dream"](https://www.cranthorpemillner.com/product/shaun-wallace-chasing-the-dream/). 10 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Celebrity Catchphrase Episode 2"](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep2week4/celebrity-catchphrase). *Press Centre*. Retrieved 19 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Meet the star-studded cast of ITV's Don't Rock the Boat"](https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-10-28/dont-rock-the-boat-cast-itv/). *Radio Times*. Retrieved 18 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["News – London Metropolitan University"](http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/news/latest-news/shaun-wallace-election.cfm). London Metropolitan University. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Baksi, Catherine (21 July 2022). ["'I'm a barrister who happens to be on television; not the other way round'"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/im-a-barrister-who-happens-to-be-on-television-not-the-other-way-round-m2bf3x6c5). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. Retrieved 1 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Exclusive Interview With Shaun Wallace"](http://www.quiz-genius.com/Shaun%20Wallace%20Interview.html). *quiz-genius.com*. Retrieved 20 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Shaun Wallace embarks on emotional DNA Journey with Anne Hegerty"](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/dna-journey-shaun-wallace-exclusive-newsupdate/). *Radio Times*.

## External links

- [Shaun Wallace](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3597321/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Shaun Wallace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Wallace) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Wallace?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.