Mark Labbett, othewise known as The Beast on the popular ITV quiz show The Chase, has been making headlines recently after he unveiled a slimer new look, showcasing his unbelieveable ten stone weight loss.
Appearing on This Morning recently to discuss his new book Can You Beat The Beast, Mark, who at his heaviest weighed in at 29 stone, was complimented by the show's Friday hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary as well as many viewers who remarked on his svelte new appearance. But how did he do it?
The 57-year-old managed to lose the pounds by having a "complete nutrition overhaul" that saw him cutting down on sugar and carbohydrates - in particular pub food and sugary treats.
Read more: The Chase viewers compare hopeless team to outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss
Although he managed to lose three stone before the lockdown happened - in 2016, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, forcing him to change his lifestyle - the general knowledge whizz explains that he began eating healthier during the pandemic and, as a byproduct of catching Covid, too, his appetite was suppressed.
Now, he keeps to a "high protein diet" and last year told Loose Women that he has been cutting down on carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol intake.
"As much as I love chips and other carbs," he said, "I’m having quite a bit less than I used to. And it’s sort of became a virtuous cycle, I’m not feeling that hungry, so you eat less, so you lose weight, so you’re not as hungry.”
He added: "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."
Alongside healthy eating, however, having an energetic toddler has also played a part in the former maths teacher's weight loss journey, which has seen the six foot six brain box become the "smallest" he's been in 30 years.
He said: "Several factors came together nicely and the weight has just fallen off. The principal thing has been running after a hyperactive three-year-old in lockdown when the nurseries were shut. Instead of going to the fridge for a bit of late-night snacking all I could do was just collapse on a heap on the bed."
It also seems that he's got his very own - and very adorable - personal trainer in the form of his pet labradour, Baloo. Telling Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page on the ITV show The Pet Show previously, as reported by The Express, Mark 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!' I was walking him around the fields, taking me places... I think he's helped a lot, simply because I'm doing more activity."
T he Mirror also reported that the father of one said that he did not have surgery to help him along the way after being previously warned by doctors that, due to his body's ability to process sugars having a gastric band fitted would be dangerous.
The Chase airs every week day at 5pm on ITV.
READ NEXT:
- Bradley Walsh shuts down rumours that he and son Barney are hosting Gladiators revival
- Coronation Street's Kimberly Hart-Simpson lost stone in six weeks
- When are the Pride of Britain Awards 2022 on TV?
- Holly Willoughby poses with sister Kelly at Pride of Britain Awards
- What Ruth Jones had to say about a return for Gavin and Stacey on The One Show
