Mark Labbett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Labbett
Labbett on The Chase USA in 2014
Born	Mark Andrew Labbett (1965-08-15) 15 August 1965 (age 59) Tiverton, Devon, England
Other names	"The Beast"
Alma mater	Exeter College, Oxford (BA) University of Exeter (PGCE)
Occupation	Television personality
Years active	1999–present
Notable credit(s)	The Chase (2009–present) The Chase USA (2013–2015, 2021–2022) The Chase Australia (2016–2020, 2022–present) Master Minds, 2022–present
Spouse(s)	Katie Labbett ​ ​ (m. 2014; separated 2020)​
Children	1

Mark Andrew Labbett (born 15 August 1965) is an English television personality and a very skilled quizzer. He is widely known by his nickname, "The Beast". Since 2009, he has been one of the "chasers" on the popular ITV game show The Chase.

Mark has also appeared on other versions of The Chase, including the American version (from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2022) and the Australian version (from 2016 to 2020 and again from 2022). Besides The Chase, he has been a contestant on many other TV quiz shows and often takes part in quizzing competitions.

Early Life and Education

Mark Andrew Labbett was born on 15 August 1965 in Tiverton, Devon, England. He went to Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury.

Mark studied mathematics at Exeter College, Oxford, where he earned a Master of Arts degree. He also received a teaching qualification (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) from the University of Exeter. Later, he studied law at the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales).

Mark's Career

Teaching Experience

Before becoming a famous quizzer, Mark Labbett worked as a supply teacher. He taught both mathematics and physical education.

Quizzing Journey

Mark first became interested in quizzing while working at a Butlins holiday camp. He would often win money from the quiz machines there, which helped him earn extra cash. In April 2001, his pub quiz team, Jumbo Quiz, won a trip to Paris in a national competition.

Mark has appeared on many TV quiz shows over the years:

• In 1999, he was on Mastermind, where his special topic was the Olympic Games. He returned to Mastermind in 2000, choosing The Simpsons as his specialist subject.
• Also in 2000, he competed on Countdown.
• In 2003, he appeared on Grand Slam.
• He won £500 on BrainTeaser in 2004 and £1,500 on SUDO-Q in 2005.
• Mark was a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? twice. In April 2006, he won £32,000. He also won £32,000 on a live version of the show called Millionaire Live.

In 2006, Mark was the captain of the Welsh quiz team that finished fifth in the European Quizzing Championships. His team, the Rugby Boys, also won BBC Four's Only Connect in 2009.

In 2012, Mark was ranked 89th in the World Quizzing Championships, showing how good he is at quizzes globally.

The Chase Role

Mark Labbett is best known as one of the "chasers" on the ITV quiz show The Chase, which started in 2009. The show is hosted by Bradley Walsh. On the show, Mark's nickname is "the Beast". This nickname refers to his large size and also sounds like the French words la bête, which means "the beast".

In The Chase, Mark tries to stop contestants from winning money by answering more questions correctly than them. He has been a chaser on different versions of the show:

• He was the only chaser on the American version of The Chase on Game Show Network from 2013 to 2015.
• He was one of the chasers on the Australian version of The Chase on the Seven Network from 2016 to 2020 and rejoined in 2022. Other UK chasers like Anne Hegerty and Shaun Wallace have also appeared on the Australian show.
• Mark also joined the American revival of The Chase on ABC for its second season.

Mark has mentioned that his weakest subjects in quizzes are horse racing and soap operas. He found the American version of The Chase more challenging because contestants on American game shows are often very strong.

Personal Life

Mark Labbett lived in Caldicot and then Newport in Wales before moving to Moorgate, Rotherham, in 2013.

He married Katie Labbett in 2014, and they had a son together. They separated in 2020. In early 2023, Mark began dating television presenter Hayley Palmer, but their relationship ended in 2024.

Mark is a fan of football and supports Sheffield United in England. In the Australian Football League, he supports the Western Bulldogs.

Television Appearances

Guest Appearances

• University Challenge (1996–97) – contestant
• Mastermind (1999, 2000) – contestant
• Countdown (2000) – contestant
• Stake Out (2001) – contestant
• Grand Slam (2003) – contestant
• BrainTeaser (2004) – contestant
• SUDO-Q (2005) – contestant
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2006) – contestant
• The National Lottery People's Quiz (2007) – contestant
• Are You an Egghead? (2008) – contestant
• Battle of the Brains (2008) – contestant
• Only Connect (2009) – contestant
• Sugar Free Farm (2016) – participant
• Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (2016) – contestant
• Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief (2017) – participant winner
• Celebrity Juice (2017) – participant
• Loose Women (2017) – guest
• Celebrity Catchphrase (2024) – contestant