'Don't be such a sad f***er!' The Chase star Anne Hegerty blasts homophobic viewer

A man who accused ITV of being "highly irresponsible" for allowing a drag queen to appear as a contestant on TV quiz show The Chase was called out on social media by one of the show's most popular stars.

A disgruntled viewer tweeted that he felt "quite disgusted" at seeing Daniel, 24, from Cheshire, on the show, who was wearing make-up and was open about his job, saying he'd buy himself some new lingerie if he won the prize money at the end of the game.

Chaser Anne Hegerty, 59, quickly fired back at the Twitter user, branding him a "sad f***er" - much to the delight of fans of the show, which screens on weekdays in New Zealand on TVNZ 1.

Hegerty's Twitter response.

Hegerty's co-star Mark Labbett, nicknamed The Beast, joined her in condemning the homophobic tweet.

Twitter user Simon Cantab had ranted: "l really think it is mischievous and highly irresponsible of ITV to allow people of this sort to appear on a family show. I feel quite disgusted."

But the tweet didn't sit well with Hegerty, who replied: "Oh, don't be such a sad f***er."

But Cantab wasn't done there, he went on: "Try and remember that the great majority out here are normal. I feel sorry for people like you but I do not believe we should change society to accommodate your bestial preferences.

"But there are surely limits beyond which normal becomes abnormal. For example, l would suggest that Heterosexuality is normal whilst child sex is abnormal. From what you say, you would disagree."

Hegerty seemingly couldn't ignore the offensive comments, and told Cantab: "I profoundly disapprove of having sex with children. And of anything else that does actual harm to people. Men in fabulous sparkly gowns? Fine with me."

Daniel, who works in events for a day job, revealed that his drag name was Ivy League because he "always comes out on top".

Explaining what he'd do with his prize money, he said: "Having boy clothes and girl clothes is expensive. I would love to buy some lingerie and treat myself."

Cantab's tweet was also spotted by Labbett, whose alter ego The Beast appears in the quiz show with Hegerty's The Governess.

He repeated her jibe, posting: "We welcome everyone on the show ... and you really are a sad F***er Mr Cantab."

Paul Sinha, who is known as The Sinnerman and is openly gay, also defended Daniel.

He tweeted: ''I can't fathom the mentality of those genuinely angry about a drag queen on #thechase. We have always been inclusive."