Mark Labbett has had an incredible weight loss transformation in recent years as the star debuted a slimmer-than-ever look for Christmas.
The ITV quizzer, also known by his stage name The Beast, stunned fans after sharing a backstage photo showcasing his huge weight loss. The Chase star is currently playing the villain Fleshcreep in a Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and shared a snap enjoying some downtime with the board game version of Pointless.
Sharing the photo on Twitter, Labbett wrote: “This was my secret Santa at the Northwich Panto. I suspect Richard Osman.” Fans soon rushed to the replies after not recognising the TV personality due to his dramatic weight loss.
One said: "Omg mark where is the rest of you, you look amazing, don’t lose any more though." Another wrote: "Looking healthy there Mark. Nice to see people win a battle to get the weight off."
"Looking great you should be proud of the work you’ve done. I know it wasn’t easy. I’ve very recently gone from being a 4XL (4 x as f**king large as I should be) to a 2XL (still twice as f**king large but now with muscles) Great for the heart & out mental health. Keep it up :)," a third commented.
Another agreed: "Is that you Beastie Boy? What's Brad going to call you now? Seriously well done with the weight loss looking good. Pointless present though."
Back in 2003 when he was a full-time teacher, Mark was at his heaviest weight of 29 stone. After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2016, he was forced to undergo some drastic lifestyle changes to stop his health from deteriorating further.
Mark first appeared on the ITV quiz show back in 2009. Over the years, he's been open about his weight loss journey that hit its peak during the lockdown in 2020.
Since then, he has spoken openly about how a bout of suspected Covid-19 and his battle with diabetes sparked his weight loss journey. He previously weighed more than 27 stone, but managed to get under 23 stone and hasn’t looked back.
In 2020, he told The Sun: "I got suspected Covid at the end of February, and got sent home from work, for the first time in 15 years, on Wednesday 27th. ITV were brilliant and took no chances.
"Because the testing capacity was so limited then, I never formally got a test but all I can say is that for two weeks I had complete loss of appetite, no sense of smell, a temperature, exhaustion and the worst fever of my life."
He continued: "I basically didn't eat for two weeks but since then the weight has continued to drop off because I have continued to eat sensibly. I knew I had to.
"I am still losing weight and beginning to notice the difference in photos which, I can assure you, are not Photoshopped!"
He’s also credited his dog, who he has aptly nicknamed his ‘personal trainer’ – for helping him along the way. Speaking on ITV's The Pet Show with Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page, he said: "My wife promised me that when we first got him she would take care of everything - feeding him, walking him and so on,
"That lasted about two weeks before she decided 'Actually Mark, look at your belly - you need the exercise!'"
He added: "I was walking him around the fields, taking me places... I think he's helped a lot, simply because I'm doing more activity."
Mark didn't undergo any surgery to help with his weight loss. He was warned by doctors that having a gastric band fitted would be dangerous, because of the way his body digests sugar.
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