opening up
The Chase’s Mark Labbett reveals heartbreaking fear about his son, seven, after life-threatening diagnosis
He spoke candidly about his offspring and his own wellbeing
THE Chase favourite Mark Labbett has revealed his heartbreaking fear for his seven-year-old son amid his major lifestyle re-vamp.
It came after the ITV quizzer, nicknamed The Beast, worked hard to achieve his 10-stone weight loss when doctors gave him a stark diagnosis.
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Mark, 59, who previously weighed 29 stone, was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2017 after a serious health scare.
The Chase stalwart cut carbs and his sugar intake to improve his wellbeing and, despite losing almost half of his body weight, has let slip his enduring motivation for living well.
He admitted to it centred on his son Lawrence.
He told the publication: "One of my life goals, because I was a more mature father when Lawrence appeared, is to see him graduate.
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"He'll be 21 when I'm 71, 72, and that's my mission.
"I'm just happy he's a well-adjusted young man.
"He's inherited my maths ability, which I'm not upset about either.
"He's healthy, smart and tall – what more could you want?"
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Mark shares the schoolboy with ex wife Katie.
Their marriage ended in 2020 after seven years, and their split was attributed to their 27-year age gap and challenges during lockdown.
'The Beast' Labbett hits out The Chase bosses as he slams team selections after 'boring' episode
The former couple are still legally married - and recently reunited for a co-parenting trip to the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
SHOW SHOCK
It comes after Mark took to social media to slam The Chase bosses following a recent episode.
Brainbox Mark, dubbed The Beast on Bradley Walsh's hit show, weighed in on the disappointing form of the contestants who all went low for £1,000 after watching the show at home.
Fans soon waded in with their criticism of the team, slamming the show as "dull" and "boring".
The Chase's best moments
The Chase has been entertaining ITV viewers for years, here are some of the show's most memorable moments...
Bradley Walsh can't stop laughing
- Every time host Bradley Walsh erupts into fits of laughter on The Chase it makes for pretty entertaining TV. One particularly memorable occasion was when he was asking the question 'The title of which Elvis Presley song was engraved of the inside of Freddie Star's coffin?" As usual the contestant was given four multiple choices but Bradley could get through reading them out before bursting into hysterics. Seeming the idea of the song being option 'B: Way Down' was too much for the presenter to handle.
The Double Trouble special
- To celebrate 15 years of The Chase on screens, ITV launched a special 'double trouble' episode where contestants faced off against not one but two of the show's beloved Chasers. And despite the odds, the contestants managed to go home with some cash!
The contestants with famous names
- Eagle-eyed ITV fans are always quick to spot interesting and sometimes hidden details on the quiz show - but there have been a few times where the names of some contestants have been overtly obvious. For example, one 2017 episode of the quiz show saw Bradley welcome four contestants who were named after Friends characters Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey. Another group of contestants with named from The Simpsons were also grouped together in another episode, much to viewers' amusement.
The Beast's anger gets the best of him
- During an episode from the 2024 season, Mark Labbett let out his inner beast as he exploded in a fit of anger. Close to losing the competition in the Final Chase, Mark then made a silly mistake and incorrectly answered the question, “Rabbit was a 1980 hit for which Cockney duo?” “Oh, you idiot!” he yelled at himself while slamming the table in front of him. With seconds left on the clock, the Chaser then admitted defeat, moaning "I don't deserve to win."
And the Chaser agree, as he wrote on X: "With hindsight maybe the producers should have a put a stronger player in the team."
One fan replied: "Maybe the producers need to get their heads together and sort all this out."
Meanwhile, Mark was also seen slapping a wrestler earlier this month in shock scenes at a sporting event.
He stepped into the ring at New Generation Wrestling’s Ultimate Showdown event, where he was serving as the announcer.
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However, the night took an unexpected turn when he theatrically struck Kayman around the face.
The dramatic moment was captured on video and shared on Instagram, quickly going viral.
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