Anne Hegerty may be among the crop of celebrities set for the challenge of their lives in the jungle this year, but it’s nothing compared to what the fearsome chaser has overcome before.
Prior to capturing the nation’s hearts on ITV gameshow The Chase, Hegerty was struggling to get by as a freelance proof reader.
At one stage she was on the brink of homelessness as she tried to make do on disability allowance.
The Governess, who’s been diagnosed with autism, opened up to Stuff recently, about how she almost lost her house:
I just simply couldn’t keep it going and the result was I wasn’t paying my bills, but I was trying not to go on benefits on the grounds that I just thought that was sort of giving up. I wasn’t giving up.
The 60-year-old had fallen behind on rent payments for her council house and eventually, someone from the Housing Association turned up at her door.
Anne continued:
She was stepping over piles of unopened mail and realised we had a problem. She said ‘we will fix this, I will get someone to help you.
The social worker offered to help out Anne with her bills and the subsequent stress they brought on.
She was put on Disability Living Allowance to keep her afloat in the meantime.
When all was said and done, she became savvy to the ‘high level quizzing circuit’. Before she knew it, she was laying waste via general knowledge to contestants on The Chase.
For her first year on the show, Anne still received the benefit stating:
It is difficult to go down the street without being recognised. It’s weird and interesting.
There are times when you’re not absolutely crazy about it.. but I hope I never take it for granted.
Keep doing you, Anne.
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