The Chase: Mark Labbett reflects on being a maths teacher
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The Chase veteran Mark Labbett has revealed how his weight being mocked has finally taken its toll. The quizzing star also hit out at the treatment from ITV about his experiences on show as well the network’s treatment of him for a reality show.
Mark Labbett has starred on The Chase since the show’s inception in 2009 as the chaser nicknamed The Beast.
The quizzer has now shared the negative effect the nickname and the show’s content has had on his life and confidence.
In an interview he explained: “To be fair, you don’t wanna be that guy, but you wanna say hang on I’ve got a lower BMI now than half of my colleagues now. So, isn’t it time now to end?”
“That’s about it as a gripe, that’s about the only thing, but yeah, it’s not a great thing for your self-esteem, is it?”
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He continued: “If it’s not a fat joke, it’s an eating joke… And I eat so much less than I used to and drink so many fluids and I think it’s the meds for diabetes that helps too.”
The star also vented his frustrations with ITV for their treatment of him when considering work on other TV shows on the channel.
Mark has been approached for I’m A Celebrity four times, but he opened up on how producers have hesitated to get him on board.
He said: “Four times I’ve been asked to apply for an ITV reality TV show. But at every point, they’ve gone from really wanting me to suddenly my weight is an issue.
Mark told the Daily Star: “It’s just really annoying that they invite me in for an interview and then weight is mentioned and I’m out.”
During his 13 years on ITV, he has become one of the most recognisable faces on their daytime TV schedule.
In his role as The Beast, he has been on the receiving end of popular host Bradley Walsh’s jokes.
Bradley will take aim at all of the fellow chasers, but Mark has grown tired of the constant mockery.
Mark has not held back in addressing his weight loss and told Loose Women about his impressive achievement.
He went into detail with the panellists about his change, explaining: “I am gradually dropping Xs off my size.
“I’ve gone from 5XL to 4XL and it looks like the next time I go shopping I’ll be able to squeeze into XL underpants.”
However, the star admitted his health was at risk, adding: “I’ve lost 10 stone. I was 29 stone when I was a full-time teacher in 2003, and I was in danger of high blood pressure.”
“I’ve been around 26 stone up until lockdown, and then a few things happened quite nicely and came together, and I started losing weight.”
On his appearance on This Morning on Tuesday, the former maths teacher distracted viewers with his image change.
David Mackay tweeted: “Wow!! Good on Mark, he looks sensational #thismorning.”
@JJ16119473 teased: “The Beast is now The Bones #ThisMorning.”
The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV and ITV Hub
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