Mark Labbett, known to fans of The Chase as “The Beast,” has come under fire once again—this time for comments viewers have slammed as “bullying” and “humiliating” towards a contestant. The backlash came after a repeat episode aired on ITV this Thursday, featuring a line-up of hopefuls going up against the towering quiz titan.
On the panel were Patrick from Darwen, Nicky from Nottingham, Ella from Newport, and Stewart from Stockport. But it was Nicky, a schoolteacher, who ended up at the centre of the drama after becoming the butt of Mark’s sharp-tongued humour, reported the Express.
After Nicky secured £3,000 in her cash builder, Mark offered her the usual choice of low, middle, and high offers. It was then he delivered the line that set off a storm online: “Well, you’re very quick with what you know. You just don’t know a lot.” And after beating her in the head-to-head round, he twisted the knife just a little more, joking: “I think she lost that when I walked across the bridge at the start. She hasn’t recovered yet.”
While the contestants themselves appeared to take the jabs in good humour, many viewers watching from home weren’t laughing. Some took to social media to vent their frustration at what they saw as unnecessary digs.
“No contestant should be humiliated on the show!” one angry viewer posted. “Who does that #chaser think he is telling her that she doesn’t know a lot? He’s nothing special!” Another added: “Watching #TheChase – The Beast is such a bully! Can’t believe he was so rude to poor Nicky. No need to humiliate her like that.”
To add to the frustration, the episode wasn’t even new—it originally aired back in May 2022. As ITV continues rolling out old repeats, more and more fans are calling for a refresh. Some have even jumped ship to the BBC’s new quiz show The Finish Line.
“I think The Finish Line on BBC 1 is a better quiz than The Chase now,” one viewer tweeted. Another chimed in, “Fed up of ITV regurgitating the same old s**t week in week out. All repeats!”
A third viewer made their feelings clear: “If The Chase doesn’t get any better… I’m swifting loyalties!” While Mark is known for his dry wit and confident swagger, this episode seems to have crossed a line for some fans—leaving many to wonder if The Chase is losing its charm.
