21 July 2023 , 15:00
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The Chase legend Mark Labbett first appeared on the hit ITV game show back in 2009 - and he's become a firm favourite with television fans ever since.
The professional quizmaster has shocked contestants with his outstanding knowledge on-screen and wowed them with his weight loss transformation off-air.
Mark - also known by his alter ego The Beast - has had his fair share of ups and downs in his personal life, including a split from his ex-wife Katie, who was also his second cousin.
But with a new love interest, career commitments overseas and a six-year-old son to co-parent, there is never a quiet or dull moment for the famous dad-of-one.
Recent 10st weight loss
Mark weighed his heaviest in 2006 when he was 29 stone (ITV)
He's lost a dramatic 10st by cutting out sugar and exercising (Splash News / SplashNews.com)Mark's appearance has changed dramatically over the years, after he dropped a whopping 10 stone following his decision to completely overhaul his eating habits after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2016. The 56-year-old said he's feeling fitter than ever and "really really wants" to strut his stuff on the dance floor on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
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The quiz Boffin said on Loose Women earlier this year: "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. I've been around 26 stone up until lockdown, and then a few things happened quite nicely and came together and I started losing weight."
He also recently discussed how his 'personal trainer' golden retriever, Baloo, helped him shed some of the weight. Mark spoke about his dog's role in getting him exercising more frequently on ITV's The Pet Show. He said: "I was walking him around the fields, taking me places… I think he's helped a lot, simply because I'm doing more activity."
New girlfriend
Mark wooed Hayley by whipping out his Toby Carvery Gold Card (Splash News / SplashNews.com)
The pair only became official recently and now she's met his family (Splash News)Mark and his new girlfriend, TV presenter Hayley Palmer, 41, have been getting closer and closer this summer and even took a trip to LA together. They first met at the National Television Awards in October of last year and instantly hit it off - but only became official a few months ago.
"This is our first holiday," Hayley told Woman's Day. "Mark and I have both been working and filming, but we've been able to make the most of our time together. This is the first time we've been able to do more than the odd date, so it's been fantastic. We've spent some quality time together, and it's been wonderful for our relationship."
Hayley has also opened up about their relationship and admitted that one key detail saw her fall head over heels for the intelligent quiz man. Talking to the MailOnline, the loved-up couple said: "We are taking things really slowly, but this is the first time we've been able to do more than the odd date so it's been fantastic. We are getting on well and are happy."
Speaking about the novel way The Beast wooed her, the presenter said: "I got introduced to him and he was like, 'Do you know what I've got?' And then he whips out his Toby Carvery Gold Card. I was actually really impressed. I thought, 'I haven't seen this before.' It totally worked. I was trying to steal it. We had a really good laugh."
Co-parenting son
Mark was married to his ex-wife Katie for six years before they split (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
The pair co-parent a six-year-old son called Lawrence together (S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Mark credits Hayley with giving him a new lease of life after he split with the mum of his son, Katie, in 2020. The couple were married for six years after meeting on social media in 2010, with the future Mrs Labbett saying she had never heard of The Chase before. It was only later they discovered they were actually second cousins.
Mark said after the split: "I had been a single man for a long while, so I was getting used to the idea of being on my own." However, fast forward three years and he's happy in his new relationship, insisting the 16-year age gap between himself and Hayley doesn't bother him.
Speaking to the Mirror about being a dad to Lawrence, Mark said: "I'm on the road so much, plus the little matter of a six-year-old boy that I co-parent with, so I try to spend as much time as I can with him. I'm going out to film in America next month, and I'm already planning what I'm doing in July and August with Katie to see what weeks work."
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