The Chase Australia star Issa Schultz ‘The Supernerd’ back for his 5th Telethon, ready for surprises

The Chase Australia’s Supernerd is coming back to his “unofficial family” in Perth for this year’s Telethon and can’t wait to help make a difference in the lives of sick children.

Issa Schultz was last in WA for Telethon in 2019 and speaking ahead of what will be his fifth time at the 26-hour broadcast, the quizmaster said he couldn’t wait to experience the magical weekend of October 19 and 20.

“It’s the lure of coming home to family, which sounds so strange because I’ve got no family, no connection to WA at all and yet every time I’ve landed it feels like coming home to my unofficial family,” he said over the phone from his Queensland home.

“It’s addictive, I can’t help but get over there and have a bit of fun and a laugh for charity.”

The 40-year-old said he was most looking forward to the surprises and humbling stories from inside Perth Children’s Hospital.

“You can’t turn the kids down, as someone who doesn’t have kids yet it’s really magical,” he said.

“I’m the most emotional of all the Chasers so if there’s something pretty dire I’m a bit of a mess after but I like to tell a joke or a fun story of how we make The Chase.”

Schultz admitted that the kids were sometimes disappointed to learn he wasn’t from Home And Away as “some of those actors are like gods or goddesses and their eyes light up”.

“It’s so special and sweet,” he said.

With an abundance of Telethon memories that Schultz holds close to his heart, the Briton recalled a time that he dressed as a ninja in a “somewhat revealing outfit”.

Wearing a samurai ninja suit, he had to throw playing cards into a watermelon in an attempt to raise money.

“The more I got in, the better ... let’s just say I won’t be giving up my quizzing day job, I looked the part but I was pretty awful,” he said.

“I’ll do anything, famous last words,” he laughed, before clarifying: “I’ll do almost anything because it’s a laugh.”

On a more serious note, Schultz urged the nation to get behind the important cause with a bid to beat 2023’s donation record of $77 million.

“In an era of a cost of living crisis, it just shows the kindness of people out there ... it will be a challenge as the bar gets higher every year but why not nudge it a bit higher this year, it can always be done,” he said.

Schultz will be joined by his cast mates Brydon “The Shark” Coverdale and Matt “Goliath” Parkinson.

Other star-studded talent includes Guy Sebastian, Samantha Jade, Vanessa Amorosi, Human Nature and Ant Middleton.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington will be back, as will The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, and Better Homes and Gardens’ Johanna Griggs, Dr Harry Cooper, Charlie Albone and Juliet Love.