Quiz master Mark Labbett, better known as ‘The Beast’ from ITV’s The Chase has lost a massive 10 stone following a troubling health diagnosis. The star has become a household name since joining the quiz show in 2009.
Outside of the show, the Beast has opened up about his health struggles and personal life after he was diagnosed with diabetes in 2017. Although he never experienced a diabetic episode, the quiz maestro knew it was time for a lifestyle change.
Mark was only diagnosed when a nurse noticed his skin was having trouble healing on his legs, reports Birmingham Live. The diagnosed led to his impressive 10 stone weight loss.
He previously said: ‘I’ve got skin that doesn’t heal properly in my lower legs. A nurse looked at me and she asked, ‘Are you sure you’re not diabetic?’ He recalled: “They took a test and she said, ‘Yes, you’re diabetic.'”
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Mark overhauled his lifestyle, shedding weight from 29 stone to 19 stone.
According to the NHS, type 2 diabetes raises blood sugar (glucose) levels too high, potentially causing symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, though many experience no symptoms.
It also heightens the risk of serious complications affecting the eyes, feet, heart, and nerves.
Mark previously spoke about how the condition sparked his weight loss journey: “This is the lightest I’ve been in 25 years. I’m now under 20 stone, and I am really feeling the difference, as well as seeing it.
“My knees really feel the difference. I will never be athletic again, but I just move so much better for not carrying that extra weight.”
Mark revealed on Loose Women that a friend had advised him against getting a gastric band, explaining that.: “I’m not a drinker, but sugar has always been my downfall.
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“A good friend of mine who had the gastric band said it won’t do any good for me as I get all my calories by sugar, and it’s too easy to digest. ‘I still have sugar but an awful lot less. I should have less still.”
He further said: “I am gradually dropping Xs off my size. I’ve gone from 5XL to 4XL, and it looks like the next time I go shopping, I’ll be able to squeeze into XL underpants. 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.”
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