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Shaun Wallace
Shaun wallace.jpg
Wallace receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Law in 2015
Born
Shaun Anthony Linford Wallace

(1960-06-02) 2 June 1960 (age 65)
London, England
Other names The Dark Destroyer (UK)
The Destroyer (Australia)
The Barrister
The Legal Eagle
The Mastermind Champ
Occupation Barrister, part-time lecturer and television personality
Notable credit(s)
The Chase (2009–present)
The Chase Australia (2018)

Shaun Wallace, born on June 2, 1960, is a well-known English lawyer, teacher, and television personality. Many people know him as one of the "chasers" on the popular ITV quiz show The Chase.

Shaun also works as a part-time lecturer. He visits schools and colleges to teach students about different parts of the law. In 2004, he won the famous quiz show Mastermind. He was also ranked among the top quizzers in the world in 2012.

Early Life and Education

Shaun Wallace was born in London on June 2, 1960. He grew up in Wembley and went to Copland School. Learning English was a bit tricky for him, and he had to take his O-level English exam four times.

Despite these challenges, he worked hard. In 1983, he graduated from the Polytechnic of North London. He earned a degree in Law, which helped him start his career.

Shaun Wallace's Career

Working as a Lawyer

Shaun Wallace became a barrister in November 1984. A barrister is a special type of lawyer who represents people in court. He has worked on cases in important courts like the Old Bailey. He also worked in many local courts across England, Wales, and Scotland.

For many years, he was part of Farringdon Barristers Chambers. In 2012, he joined Great James Street Chambers. Shaun is also a member of the Criminal Bar Association. Because of his family background, he has also been a member of the Jamaican Bar since 1999.

Television Appearances

Shaun Wallace is famous for his appearances on television. In 2004, he became a champion on the BBC quiz show Mastermind. On this show, contestants answer questions on a special subject they choose. Shaun's special subject in the final was FA Cup Finals.

He also appeared on other quiz shows. These include Are You an Egghead?, Fifteen to One, and The Weakest Link.

The Chase and Other Shows

Since 2009, Shaun has been a "chaser" on The Chase. This is a popular game show on ITV. His nickname on the show is "The Dark Destroyer." Other chasers on the show include Anne Hegerty and Mark Labbett.

Shaun also appears on special versions of The Chase. These include The Chase: Celebrity Special and Beat The Chasers. In 2018, he was a guest chaser on the Australian version of the show. In Australia, he is known as "The Destroyer."

In 2018, Shaun wrote a book about his life called Chasing the Dream. He has also appeared on other TV shows. These include Celebrity Catchphrase and Countdown. In 2020, he was an assistant on Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow. He also reported for Good Morning Britain during Black History Month.

Qualifications and Achievements

Shaun Wallace has several important qualifications. He holds a BA (Hons) degree and is a qualified barrister. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Law in July 2015. This special award was given to him by London Metropolitan University.

Public Activities

Shaun Wallace addresses the rally supporting barristers' industrial action outside the Supreme Court, London, 11 July 2022
Wallace speaking at a rally for barristers in London, July 2022

Shaun Wallace has also been involved in public life. In the 2005 UK general election, he ran as an independent candidate. He stood for election in the Brent South area of London.

In 2022, he supported barristers who were taking action to ask for better pay. He joined his colleagues outside the Supreme Court in London. Shaun said that fees for legal aid should be increased. This would help encourage young people to become barristers.

Personal Life

Shaun Wallace is the oldest of four children. His family heritage is from Jamaica. He is a big fan of football and supports Chelsea.

In 2022, Shaun appeared on the ITV show DNA Journey. This show helped him learn more about his family history. He discovered links to his African ancestry in Nigeria and his Caribbean ancestry in Jamaica. Shaun is also a Christian and was raised with Christian values.

Television Appearances List

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
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