• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Chaser Mark Labbett explained death fear as he opens up on health issue

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Published 14:22 1 Mar 2025 GMT

Chaser Mark Labbett explained death fear as he opens up on health issue

Mark 'The Beast' Labbett revealed why his seven-year-old son inspires him to stay healthy

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

The Chase's Mark Labbett has opened up about his fear of missing out on his young son's life due to his type 2 diabetes.

The 59-year-old, best known as 'The Beast' to ITV viewers, has shed loads of weight since kickstarting his health journey after his diagnosis in 2017.

He made a host of lifestyle changes and his transformation has been incredible - so much so, that he really ought to change his quizzing nickname to something a bit daintier.

However, as he is set to turn 60 this year, Labbett is well aware that no one can outrun aging or the impact of health ailments.

Although he might appear to have all the answers when we watch him annihilate The Chase contestants on screen, even he's unsure on how to slow down the hands of time.

Advert

Speaking to OK!, the father-of-one revealed that he is conscious that a few of his attributes knock a 'few years off his lifespan'.

"One of the drawbacks of being as tall as I am is that it takes a few years off your lifespan," he said. "And being as heavy as I was takes a few years off, too.

"But my father's side lived long lives. I rarely drink, I’ve never smoked, never done drugs, there’s no gambling, and God knows, there are no loose women in my life!"

Labbett, who split from girlfriend Hayley Palmer in May last year, explained that his downfall is 'sugar' - but after practicing some restraint, he now reckons that he weighs 'about 18 stone'.

The Beast spoke out about how his young son motivates him on his health journey (Instagram/@markthebeastlabbett)
The Beast spoke out about how his young son motivates him on his health journey (Instagram/@markthebeastlabbett)

Advert

And that is some serious progress, considering the fact he was about 29 stone at his heaviest.

Discussing what he thinks when he sees himself on old episodes of The Chase, Labbett said: "Sometimes I look and go, 'Blimey, is that me?'

"But the one thing about being a very big person, and especially a very big man with a big frame, is you can carry a lot of weight without really noticing it.

"The trouble is, I had a tonne of visceral fat, which isn’t good for you at all, and that’s why I was so heavy but relatively slim for my height and build.

"Normally, if you see a 30st man they’re quite obviously 30st, but I was carrying it internally."

Advert

Labbett began wearing a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring Patch last year to help him keep on top of his diabetes, which he says has also helped him on his health journey.

"I’d lost a bit of weight before [he started using the monitor], but last winter I had my first real attack of arthritis and it was a shock to the system because up to that point, you think you’re immortal," he said.

Labbett is barely recognisable now, in comparison to his early days on The Chase (ITV)
Labbett is barely recognisable now, in comparison to his early days on The Chase (ITV)

"Then suddenly, when you struggle to walk up stairs, you realise you’re not. I’d been gradually letting my glucose levels slide and enjoyed too many cheats, so when I put the monitor on I was shocked by my glucose levels.

"It’s been a real eye-opener. It’s made me realise I’ve got to be far more disciplined with carbs and sugars."

Advert

He's got the perfect motivation for sticking to his health journey, too - sticking around as long as possible for his seven-year-old son, Lawrence.

Labbett, who shares the young lad with ex-wife Kate, explained that seeing his only child graduate is one of his dreams.

"One of my life goals, because I was a more mature father when Lawrence appeared, is to see him graduate," he said. "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?

"I’m really content with where I am. I’m loving being a dad – it’s nice to be able to provide for him."

Advert

Although Labbett touts himself as 'The Beast' in the quizzing world, it seems that he's actually more of a gentle giant.

Featured Image Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Topics: The Chase, Health, Parenting, UK News, Celebrity

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    People hit out at Drake after they spot something in recent six-pack photo

    Social media users trolled Drake after noticing a strange detail

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Netflix doc on 7/7 terrorist attack sees cop who shot innocent man explain why it happened

    The officer who shot Jean Charles de Menendez has spoken out for the first time in 20 years

    Entertainment
  • 9 hours ago

    Harry Potter theory changes films forever after 'Dumbledore watches himself die'

    The theory completely changes the Harry Potter films

    Entertainment
  • 10 hours ago

    Bizarre reason Chunk from The Goonies quit acting and very different life he now lives

    Chunk from The Goonies hasn't worked in acting for decades

    Entertainment
  • The Chase's Mark Labbett makes heartbreaking admission on why he split from ex-girlfriend Hayley Palmer
  • People are only just working out how Mark Labbett got nickname 'The Beast' on The Chase
  • Health professionals issue major warning over viral Lemon Bottle weight loss injectable
  • Kaleb Cooper reveals terrifying moment his ‘son went limp’ as he opens up on horror incident