The Beast claims he was turned down from I'm A Celebrity because of his weight

The Chase star Mark Labbett - also known as The Beast - has revealed that he has been asked to apply for ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! four times - but claims his weight has always stood in the way.

Mark - who has recently lost a mega 10 stone - said it was 'really annoying' that he had been asked to interview for the show before being ruled out based on his weight.

PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking at the National Television Awards, Mark told the Daily Star: “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.

“I’m getting a bit jacked off about that. Especially now that I’m down to the weight I am.”

Clarifying why he believes he was ruled out of the cast for the show, Mark added: “They really worry on I’m A Celebrity about big stars who have shut down. They don’t allow for the fact that a guy like me, 3000 calories is a diet.”

Mark explained that while he would love to take part in the reality show, it was 'really annoying' that he had been invited for an interview before being turned down.

ITV

“I’d love to do it. I know one thing I’m safe from - they’re never going to get me on a parachute!" he added.

“It’s just really annoying that they invite me in for an interview and then weight is mentioned and I’m out.”

LADbible has reached out to ITV who declined to comment.

Over the next year, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is set to return with three separate editions of the show.

Hosts Ant and Dec confirmed that the hit ITV programme would be back this year with a regular edition, returning to the iconic Australian jungle.

Meanwhile, I'm a Celebrity will also be back with two more editions in 2023, including an all-star version of the show set in South Africa.

Instagram/@antanddec

The show is known for putting campmates on a heavily restricted diet of often just rice and beans. Sometimes, celebs will be treated to a more substantial meal if they bag enough stars in the Bushtucker Trials or if they win treats during the Dingo Dollar Challenge.

This sees selected celebs take part in a physical challenge before answering a general knowledge question along with the other contestants. If they answer correctly, they're able to take a treat back to camp, which is often a snack such as chocolate or crisps.

Topics: TV and Film, Im A Celebrity, The Chase

Lucy Devine