The Chase's Dark Destroyer says 'everything changed' after winning quiz show
Shaun Wallace, who is best known as The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, has opened up about his earnings, revealing that he now earns 'a lot' more than he did as a barrister
Shaun Wallace, who is best known for being The Dark Destroyer on ITV's The Chase, has disclosed details about his current earnings, confirming that he now makes "a lot" more than he did as a barrister. He revealed that his income has reached "six zero" figures, crediting his win on Mastermind two decades ago for the substantial rise in his pay.
Despite being a well-known figure on television, with 70% of his income derived from his on-air career Shaun hasn't completely abandoned his legal career. Around 30% of his income comes from criminal proceedings.
In a frank discussion with The Times, the 64-year-old spoke about how his present earnings compare to his past income as a barrister. The Dark Destroyer said: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros? " He then added that his income is, "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before."
The quiz show star elaborated on his finances, stating: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 per cent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 per cent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life."
The TV personality, who now lives in -Brent in northwest London, is known for his love of the finer things in life, particularly shoes, reports the Mirror. He admitted: "I spend about two or three thousand pounds on a pair of shoes and I've got a whole wardrobe full of them."
Shaun estimated that he's spent around ÂŁ50,000 on handmade shoes, but declined to share the brand as he "didn't want a free pair" and is happy to "pay his own way in life". For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter
Reflecting on his upbringing, Shaun said it was vastly different from his current lifestyle, with his parents working hard to ensure he "never went without". His mother was a dedicated state registered nurse and his father worked at the Heinz factory.
After passing the notoriously difficult bar exam in 1984, Shaun had a successful career as a defence lawyer. However, his life took a new direction when he participated in Mastermind in 2004.
Choosing the FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject, he clinched the series title with his football expertise. Following this triumph, Shaun joined The Chase as one of the original Chasers, alongside Mark Labbett, also known as The Beast.
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