Mark Labbett, known as The Beast on ITV's The Chase, has opened up about the physical challenges he faced while filming the new spin-off series The Chase Around the World. The six-part show features six pairs of contestants traveling to secret global destinations to track down all six chasers: Mark, Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan, Shaun Wallace, Darragh Ennis, and Paul Sinha. Along the way, contestants solve puzzles, and the winning pair ultimately faces the chasers for a life-changing prize.
Travel Discomforts and DVT Fears
Speaking to The Times, Labbett highlighted the practical difficulties of being 6 feet 7 inches tall while traveling. He recalled a flight back from Paris where his legs were "in a tangle." He said: "When you're 6ft 7in, travel is mainly discomfort." Labbett explained that he only travels for work and has a contract clause requiring business-class flights for long-haul trips to film the Australian version of The Chase. Even then, he noted: "And even then I have to get up and walk around or I might get DVT (Deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg) and die."
After the Paris journey, he recounted an awkward encounter at passport control. "I was so stiff the man at passport control said, 'Would you like to use the assistance lane?' I thought, 'Am I walking that badly?' I took one look in the mirror and thought, 'Yes I am.'"
Height-Related Challenges Beyond Travel
This is not the first time Labbett's height has caused problems. In 2018, he told The Sun that finding a suitable car had become increasingly difficult. He said: "It didn't used to be a problem with cars. Maybe I've become less flexible, but the last time I went looking to buy a car I really struggled to get in. I think they've moulded the driver compartments to make them more ergonomically friendly."
Weight Loss Journey and Health Transformation
Alongside these challenges, Labbett has been open about his health journey. After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2017, he embarked on a significant weight loss transformation. In a recent interview, he revealed that he weighed around 29 stone (406 lbs) at his heaviest and now tips the scales at approximately 18 stone (252 lbs). To achieve this, he increased his physical activity, reduced portion sizes, cut out sugar and refined carbohydrates, and adopted a higher-protein diet.
Promotion and Premiere Date
In a promotional clip for the spin-off, host Bradley Walsh teased on Instagram: "The Chase is going global. Six chasers, six pairs of contestants and one epic chase. Because in this game, the more you know, the further you go. If you want to star in the game, you're going to have to take on the best in the world." He also stated separately: "The Chasers are already famous around the world, so fans can look forward to seeing them ply their trade in some superb secret locations."
The Chase Around the World is set to launch on 16 July on ITV1 and ITVX.
