ITV The Chase star Darragh Ennis gives fans a peek at what he does off air

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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Darragh Ennis, better known as The Menace from The Chase, is man of many talents. Not only does he excel in quizzing on the popular ITV quiz show, he also has a passion for beekeeping off-screen. At 44, the Irish quizmaster frequently delights his online followers by posting about his apiculture adventures on TikTok.
Darragh took to the video-sharing platform to show his first spring bee hive inspection earlier this year. Donning a protective white suit and hooded veil, he told his TikTok fans: "Okay so it's time for my first bee [hive] inspection of the season."
He enthusiastically reported the healthy activity within his buzzing apiary, noting: "So my bees are just over here and they're doing pretty well. There's lots of flying bees and foraging collecting pollen so the colony seems to be in good shape."
The beloved TV personality demonstrated his pre-inspection routine, including lighting a smoker to pacify the bees before manipulating the various parts of the hive.
Darragh continued to educate his audience on effective beekeeping practices, explaining: "And I do that during the winter time because I want the insects to be on the top because it's warmer and helps them to stay alive over the winter.
:I want to switch it around now and have the honey at the top so that's how you do it during the summer, makes the hive more productive and just it's better for the hive."
Darragh recently checked on his queen bee and remarked: "Okay, so a very busy colony, they got really annoyed at me there for a bit but I've put them back into summer configuration in the hive and I couldn't see the queen."
He remained optimistic, saying: "I couldn't find her but that's not too unusual. There was babies so somebody's laying eggs in there. So I'll come back in a week or two and have another look; they seem to be doing okay."
Beekeeping has surged in popularity, with enthusiasts maintaining colonies for honey and other derivatives like beeswax and Royal jelly.
Bee Built's website is on hand, providing vital pointers for novices. Their advice reads: "General maintenance requires periodic inspections during the warm months to make sure your queen is laying eggs, your workers are building up honey stores, and your colony has enough space to expand.
"In the cold months, the colony clusters and eats through their honey stores, only emerging when the temperature is above freezing to eliminate waste. Inspections are discouraged during this time to keep from releasing precious heat from the hive."
Darragh's beekeeping journey, shared on TikTok, has captured the interest of many followers. A comment from one viewer read: "So good to see your bees are doing well. It is very interesting seeing your bee updates. Good luck with them this year."
One delighted viewer commented: "Brilliant so pleased for you and of course the bees." Meanwhile, another inquisitive user asked: "Have your bees stung you?"
Although Darragh hasn't addressed the question, Bee Built has since pointed out that 'all beekeepers get stung at some point'.
They further explained that stings can be accidental, stating: "For example, a bee might end up in the fold of your clothing, go unnoticed, and be unable to get out. Honeybees are mostly very docile, and stinging is a last resort, since once they sting, they die."