One Sinha Lifetime
Paul Sinha, renowned quizmaster of The Chase, recently opened up about a defeat on the celebrity edition of the show that he described as his “most crushing”. At 54, Paul is frequently lauded as the show’s top quizzer, making any significant loss particularly hard to swallow.
In a 2016 episode, Paul competed against Rob Beckett’s team, including Gaby Roslin, Sir Geoff Hurst, and Hayley Tamaddon. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t overcome their 21-point lead. The skewed contest was entertaining and beneficial for charity, but it deeply affected Paul.
In his latest book, “One Sinha Lifetime: Comedy, Disaster, and One Man’s Quest for Happiness”, he confessed to feeling “shattered”. He recalled how “the team, Bradley Walsh, the audience, and even the warm-up guy” all teased him.
Paul shared his interaction with Sir Geoff Hurst, stating, “Given the circumstances, I was quite proud of my comment to Sir Geoff Hurst. ‘I presume this must be the highlight of your life’. After that, I was in dire need of a drink, and luckily, there was an ample supply in the green room.”
He further narrated the aftermath, “While extending hollow congratulations to the winners, I consumed an ill-advised amount of beer and wine. Misjudging your alcohol intake is less consequential when you’re in high spirits. That day was not the time to misjudge.”
Reflecting on his emotional state at the time, Paul conceded that he was not in the best mental space due to a recent breakup and was in need of some levity. Despite previous heartbreaks, the comedian has since found enduring joy and is currently marking five wonderful years of marriage with his husband, Oliver Levy.
On a romantic trip to Rome, Paul proposed to his partner with a £20 Topshop ring. He explained on Loose Men that their relationship is based on love and companionship, not the value of jewelry. He chose a budget-friendly ring to save more for the wedding.
The same year Paul married, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. His husband, Oliver, has been a constant support, even in daily tasks like dressing. In a 2022 interview, Paul shared his struggles, highlighting the difficulty of simple tasks like putting on a shirt due to his limited hand movement. Everything takes longer than usual.
