'One of my life goals is to see my son graduate

The Chase's Mark Labbett on 26 years of being “The Beast” and why he’s taking control of his health ahead of turning 60

- MITYA UNDERWOOD

Mark “The Beast” Labbett has a lot to feel proud of as he approaches his 60th birthday. He’s a great dad, the world’s most successful Chaser, and he’s not far off celebrating losing half his body weight.

The 59-year-old quizzer, who joined ITV’s The Chase for its debut in 2009, has been on a life-changing health transformation in recent years after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. His downfall, he tells us, is “sugar”, but now he’s a dad to seven-year-old Lawrence, from his marriage to ex-wife Katie Labbett, he’s more determined than ever to make sure he stays on a healthy path.

You’ve been on The Chase for 26 years now. Why do you still love it?

I said once that pride and ego are the whips that drive me. I like being regarded as pretty clever, I like possibly being the best in the world at what I do, and that’s what drives me. I never want to be just making up the numbers.

It definitely sounds like your dream job...

I’m literally the world’s most experienced Chaser. I’m the only one who’s done it in three different countries. I keep looking around when I’m on set and thinking, “They’re paying me to do this!” I’m in Hollywood, working for a prime-time American show. I’ve just been introduced to David Hasselhoff, who’s wandered in to steal some donuts from our craft services table. How showbiz is that? Not bad for a fat old maths teacher.

You’ve lost a lot of weight in recent years…