Mark Labbett, known as The Beast on ITV's The Chase, has revealed a memorable lesson he learned from host Bradley Walsh shortly after the quiz show first aired in 2009. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Labbett recalled the day after the debut episode, which he remembers was broadcast on 3 June 2009.
"On the 4th of June, 2009, it was Bradley's birthday, and there I learned a very important lesson ... don't try and match Bradley drink for drink," Labbett said. The 60-year-old television personality shared that the cast have stayed close over the years, with Anne Hegerty becoming godmother to his son, Lawrence.
Bradley Walsh's Role in The Chase's Success
Labbett credits Walsh as the key factor behind the show's success. "I'm tempted to be cheeky and say it's me, but, no, I think that we're lucky we've got Bradley, who in my opinion is the best game-show host in the English-speaking world, and as I've worked around the world, I can say that with some confidence," he said.
"He's a natural professional ... and he's also very generous. He lets the contestants in, he lets us in. I think we have a huge advantage in that we have potentially five conversations going on: Bradley and the contestants, us and the contestants, us and Bradley, the three of us all together ... so it feels much more natural and organic. To a certain degree, it's more like a bunch of people at the bar trying to put one over on each other."
Auditioning with Theatrics
Before joining The Chase, Labbett worked as a maths teacher and built a reputation on quiz shows including Mastermind and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? He revealed he was aware producers were looking for someone with an intimidating presence when he auditioned.
"I had an advantage," he said. "I'd heard they'd asked for me because they were looking for someone on the national British quiz circuit who was a decent player, and someone ideally who can be intimidating and confrontational. For some reason, my name kept coming up..."
"I understood theatrics, so everybody else went to the auditions wearing their best jumpers or maybe a suit. I went along wearing my old Soviet army-style raincoat. I stride in and duck under the doorframe, my coat's flailing behind me like Batman's cape, and the first producer said, pretty much, 'you got the job at that point'. The fact that I could then back it up with knowing a few things added nicely to it."
Comparing Himself to Shaun Wallace
Labbett also compared himself with fellow Chaser Shaun Wallace, saying: "Shaun is the nicest guy in the world. I wish I had his work ethic. He's unbelievable. If I had his work ethic, I'd have been a headmaster or principal by 35. I'm brilliant but lazy, as I modestly say."
Instead, he said he naturally absorbs information: "I go through life and I'm just great at absorbing things. So going down the street, I'll clock the billboards for the latest films or books or TV series."
