‘I’m proud of my black skin’: The Chase’s Shaun Wallace reassures fans that his Dark Destroyer nickname is NOT racist after host Bradley Walsh gave him the moniker in 2009
The Chase’s Dark Destroyer Shaun Wallace has insisted his nickname is NOT racist and said he likes the name because he is proud of the colour of his skin.
Shaun, 60, tweeted that he is not defined by his skin colour, and is not offended by the moniker bestowed upon him by host Bradley Walsh, 60, back in 2009.
Earlier in the week, lawyer Paula Rhone-Adrien appeared on Lorraine to say she doesn’t let her children watch the ITV game show because of Shaun’s nickname.
‘I’m proud of my black skin’: The Chase’s Shaun Wallace reassured fans that his Dark Destroyer nickname is ‘absolutely NOT’ racist
She said she disagreed with a ‘Mastermind champion being described purely down to the colour of his skin.’
Several people then tweeted Shaun to get his opinion on the matter and he said it is a ‘shame’ that Paula won’t let her child watch the show.
One person wrote: ‘@lorraine Have been saying for ages, why does @ITVChase’s @TheShaunWallace have to be the only Chaser defined by their skin colour. None of the others are – this needs to change. Completely agree with @FamilyLawGuruUK.’
Close friends: He confirmed that host Bradley Walsh gave him the moniker in 2009 but that he likes the name
He replied: ‘But I’m not defined by the colour of my skin. I’m black who intellectually destroys contestants.’
Paula herself then tweeted him: ‘No to victim blaming! United we stand. It took me 20 years to start speaking out. I certainly don’t speak for all, but children’s minds are vulnerable. We love you @TheShaunWallace.’
Another wrote: ‘@TheShaunWallace just heard a woman on Lorraine saying she won’t let her child watch the chase because its racist due to your nickname. Can you clarify if you are offended by being called the dark destroyer?’
His point of view: Shaun (third from left) has said he is defined by destroying his opponents intellectually on the show and not by his skin colour
He replied: ‘Absolutely NOT!!!’
Then someone else wrote: ‘ @reallorraine #lorraine a lawyer rambling abt this amazing person on a quiz show being called the “Dark Destroyer” I presume @TheShaunWallace, ask SW if he is upset. In the late 80’s there was a boxer called the “Dark Destroyer” who revelled in the name & destroying his opponents.’
Shaun wrote back: ‘I am proud to be dark in skin who destroys his opponents intellectually.
A lady called Robin penned: ‘Hope this lawyer has been put right. Am sure that if @TheShaunWallace had a problem with the nickname “The Dark Destroyer”, then@ITVChase wouldn’t use it? #TheChase.’
Shaun replied: ‘I don’t Robin.’
Someone else wrote: ‘The most bigoted thing one can do is become offended on behalf of someone else…’ and Shaun gave this post a thumbs up emoji.
When asked how the name came about, Shaun replied: ‘Bradley gave it to me.’
Last year, Australian TV bosses dropped the ‘Dark’ from Shaun’s name over fears of racial undertones.
But Shaun told The Sun on Sunday in July: ‘It was actually Bradley who started to call me the Dark Destroyer, and there was absolutely no side or sinister reason behind it.
‘So no, Britain may be less PC, but guess what? I am proud to be black.
‘And because of my intellect — and I destroy people because of my intellect — then so be it. That’s the way I use the term the Dark Destroyer, and I am not offended. And I hope other people aren’t offended either.’