People are only just working out how Mark Labbett got nickname 'The Beast' on The Chase

Mark Labbett - also known as the 'The Beast' - is a fan favourite among The Chase viewers, having been a part of the ITV quiz show since the very start.

But do you know how the quizzing legend got his nickname?

Before rising to TV fame, Labbett, 59, worked as a maths and PE teacher and participated in various quiz competitions, even representing Wales at the European Quiz Championships.

Then, in 2009, his vast general knowledge and trivia expertise landed him a spot as one of the original chasers on ITV's daytime quiz show.

The Beast has since thwarted countless contestants on The Chase out of some serious cash prizes.

But despite being on the show for more than a decade, people are only just working out how the pro quizzer got his TV nickname.

For years, it's been assumed that 'The Beast' comes from Labbett's large stature - he stands at an impressive six foot six inches tall - or beastly quizzing skills. But that's not actually the case.

Fans of The Chase are shocked to learn the real reason behind The Beast's nickname (ITV)

Instead, it's all to do with Mark's surname. And fans have taken to social media to share their shock at the revelation.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), one person said: "Wait, am I the last person to find out that The Beast on The Chase was called that because La bête is French for beast and his last name is Labbett!? I genuinely thought it was another 'big lad' type of name!?"

Another responded saying: "No. I'm the last," while another said they were 'today years old' when they learnt the fact.

All the chasers have adopted nicknames during the time on the show. There's 'The Dark Destroyer,' 'The Governess,' 'The Sinnerman,' 'The Vixen' and 'The Menace.'

But, while these are the monikers we've all come to know and love, things could have been entirely different.

It's all to do with his surname, with 'la bête' meaning 'the beast' in French (Instagram/@markthebeastlabbett)

Anne Hegarty, more commonly known as The Governess, was originally going to be called 'The Headmistress.'

But this changed before the series even aired. Speaking to the Mirror, she revealed: "During rehearsals Brad started referring to me as 'The Governess.'

"I told the producers straight away I'd rather be called that. I thought it was more kinky."

And, Darragh Ennis rejected producers' original idea of 'The Professor,' instead choosing to become The Menace.

He explained his reasoning during an appearance on This Morning.

"They did say that to me, but I work in the university here in Oxford and professor is a title that you really have to earn," he said.

"I think people would be very annoyed if I started calling myself the Professor."