Mark Labbett, better known as The Beast on Bradley Walsh’s hit game show The Chase, has become a beloved figure in the nation.
His flamboyant antics and frequent on-screen outbursts when competitors beat him have made him a favourite among ITV viewers. Since joining The Chase in 2009, his celebrity status has skyrocketed, with the TV star even being invited to appear on the quiz show Master Minds in the US in 2023.
Indeed, Mark once held the title of World’s Most Successful Chaser, which is hardly surprising given his appearances on the UK’s Beat The Chasers, as well as the US and Australian versions of the quiz show.
But it’s not just Mark’s on-screen persona that has captivated the nation; fans have been closely following his personal life, including his impressive weight loss, public heartbreak, and battle with a chronic health condition, reports Bristol Live.
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Mark entered into an open marriage at one point (Image: ITV1)
Marriage Breakdown
Away from the spotlight and his display of extensive knowledge, Mark prefers a quiet life at his cosy home in Rotherham. After his scandalous split from his ex-wife and second cousin Katie in 2020, Mark now lives alone with his adorable Golden Retriever, Baloo.
In 2020, Mark discovered that Katie had been unfaithful and was secretly dating design engineer Scott Bate. The Beast confessed to the Mail: “When Katie first came clean to me about her boyfriend, I’d had an inkling.”
Mark and Katie have an eight-year-old son named Lawrence, who they now co-parent. They tried to maintain an open marriage, but the quizzer struggled with this arrangement and stepped aside for Katie’s relationship with Scott to flourish.
It was widely reported that the famous quizzer and his ex-wife had a 27-year age difference, which Mark previously cited as the reason for their marital breakdown.
Mark and Katie’s marriage broke down after her secret relationship was exposed (Image: Instagram/markthebeastlabbett)
Famous TV girlfriend split
Despite enduring immense heartbreak, by 2023 Mark had moved on. He began dating TV presenter Hayley Palmer, and the couple appeared to be very much in love.
They decided to go public with their relationship in May 2023 after being spotted enjoying a cosy day at the beach in Southsea, Portsmouth.
However, after appearing on Loose Women to discuss their relationship and celebrate their one-year anniversary, disaster struck when Mark decided to end things – much to Hayley’s surprise.
The 59-year-old ITV quizmaster left Hayley devastated when he abruptly ended their relationship over the phone, shortly after celebrating their one-year anniversary at the Beefeater pub.
Mark Labbett, known as The Beast on The Chase, has opened up about his split from girlfriend Hayley. Speaking to The Sun, he blamed his age for the break-up, saying: “It’s me, I got old”. He added: “She’s [Hayley’s] a lovely lady and I was very lucky to date her for a year, and as I said…it’s me, I got old. There’s been no one since Hayley, I’m not saying there won’t be another one. But I’m certainly not looking.”
Mark left Hayley heartbroken (Image: Instagram)
Health battle
Away from the show, Mark has always been open about his chronic health condition. The 59-year-old revealed in 2017 that he’d been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Despite never having experienced a diabetic episode, his blood glucose levels were dangerously low at one point, impacting his overall health.
In a conversation with OK! Magazine, he recalled a nurse making the life-changing discovery. Mark remembered: ‘I’ve got skin that doesn’t heal properly in my lower legs. A nurse looked at me and she asked, ‘Are you sure you’re not diabetic?’ They took a test and she said: ‘Yes, you’re diabetic’.”
After receiving this alarming news, the chaser embarked on a lifelong mission to overhaul his lifestyle.As he approaches his 60th birthday, Mark is focused on his health more than ever.
Mark lost ten stone in weight (Image: @MarkLabbett/Twitter)
Weight loss
As a devoted father to one son, the ITV star is determined to ensure his health condition did not hinder his life.The quiz maestro, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, embarked on a rigorous health journey, shedding an incredible 10 stone.
During a candid chat on Loose Women, he opened up about his sweet tooth struggles, admitting to the panel: “I’m not a drinker, but sugar has always been my downfall.”
Referring to advice from a friend regarding a gastric band, he remarked: “A good friend of mine who had the gastric band said it won’t do any good for me as I get all my calories by sugar, and it’s too easy to digest. I still have sugar but an awful lot less. I should have less still.”
Proudly he added: “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.
“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.”
The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1, from 5pm.