Shaun Wallace, best known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's popular game show The Chase, has revealed how he fell victim to a robbery at a busy London train station.
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The 66-year-old television personality opened up about the incident during an appearance on a New Zealand radio station, explaining how thieves stole his belongings at St Pancras International.
Wallace had been returning from Paris, France, where he had filmed an advertisement, when the incident occurred as he was preparing to take a taxi.
TV Star Robbed at London Train Station After Returning From Paris
The television star revealed that the thieves made off with several of his prized possessions after distracting him outside the taxi.
"I had three pieces of luggage, put two of them in the back. The taxi driver went round to the front, and I had my rucksack with me," Wallace was quoted saying.
"Some guy came up to me and said, 'Oi mate, you dropped a card at the back!' I was like, 'What are you talking about?' So I ignored him, but he was insistent."
Wallace, who also works as a barrister, eventually stepped away to investigate what the man was talking about.
However, while he was distracted, a second man entered the taxi and stole the backpack he had left inside.
Speaking to the radio hosts, Wallace revealed that the stolen bag contained his favorite pair of blue suede shoes, making a lighthearted reference to the famous Elvis Presley song.
Shaun Wallace Reveals What Thieves Stole During Robbery
Wallace explained that the backpack also contained Gucci perfume and two sets of car keys.
"I couldn't find my original car keys, so I thought, let me bring my spare set. I had them both there," he continued saying.
When asked whether he believed the thieves had deliberately targeted him because of his television fame, Wallace said he did not think they had recognized him.
Instead, he suggested that the thieves had taken advantage of a momentary distraction.
"It's sadly endemic in relation to, if you're not aware of what's happening around you, that's when they strike," he replied.
Wallace is one of six "Chasers" on The Chase and has appeared on the British game show since its launch in 2009. He also featured on the Australian version of the series in 2018.
Before becoming a familiar face on television, Wallace won Mastermind in 2004 and later ranked 286th at the 2012 World Quizzing Championships.
