PAUL Sinha, known as ‘The Sinnerman’ on ITV’s quiz show 'The Chase', has opened up about when he plans to leave the show. The 54-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and has been vocal about managing the condition.
Speaking to the Daily Star on Saturday, Sinha said he would consider leaving the show if the disease began to affect his performance. "At the moment my Parkinson’s doesn’t affect how I am on the show – it doesn’t affect how I can answer questions," he said. "If it ever did, I’d point it out to the producers. I know that one day that point will come, and I don’t want to be a burden on the show."
Sinha first revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis in May 2019. In a Twitter post, he vowed to "fight with every breath" and later elaborated on his experience in a blog post, admitting he was initially in shock but now feels prepared for the challenges ahead with a treatment plan in place. Sinha also humorously remarked that a Dancing on Ice appearance is no longer an option.
Sinha has been part of The Chase since 2011 as the fourth chaser, also known as "The Smiling Assassin." He acknowledged that the weeks following his diagnosis were tough, but he now feels more prepared.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects parts of the brain, with key symptoms including involuntary shaking, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. These symptoms tend to worsen over time.
In 2020, seven months after his diagnosis, Sinha married his long-time partner, Oliver Levy.
In June, Sinha shared that his mother found out about his sexuality after a friend outed him at a house party, reported The Daily Mail. He explained on Loose Women that someone at the party made a drunken call to his mother, informing her of his sexuality. Although he had intended to come out to her in his own way, the situation was taken out of his control.
Sinha, who doesn’t know who made the call, joked: "We’re going to have a poll – I’ll give you a list of all the friends it could have been."
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.