The Chase star Mark Labbett has claimed he’s been turned down from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! several times due to his weight.
Best known as The Beast on the ITV quiz show, Mark, 57, has been open about his weight loss journey after shedding 10 stone when he decided to prioritise his health after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
The quizmaster enlisted a personal trainer to aid with his transformation, resulting in him losing the 63kg over a year.
However, he admits his weight previously prevented him from taking on TV opportunities, such as the Ant and Dec reality show.
Speaking at the 2022 National Television Awards, Mark said he was asked to apply for the show on four occasions, but was told ‘no’ because of his weight.
He told Daily Star on the red carpet: ‘I’m getting a bit jacked off about that. Especially now that I’m down to the weight I am.’
Explaining why he believes I’m A Celeb turned him away, he added: ‘They really worry on I’m A Celebrity about big stars who have shut down. They don’t allow for the fact that a guy like me, 3000 calories is a diet.’
But, Mark would still ‘love’ to take part in the often gruesome challenge show, and he reckons his weight might help him in some aspects.
‘I’d love to do it. I know one thing I’m safe from – they’re never going to get me on a parachute!’, he joked.
‘It’s just really annoying that they invite me in for an interview and then weight is mentioned and I’m out.’
If he did take part, Mark wouldn’t be the first Chaser in the camp, as co-star Anne Hegarty, aka The Governess, was a contestant in 2018.
The brainiac is happy with his new slimmed-down size, but has also said he ‘still has work to do’ on toning his figure, after going from a size 5XL to XL.
Chatting with the Loose Women panel in March last year, Mark credited dropping a staggering five trouser sizes to a low sugar and carb diet and ‘running after a hyperactive toddler.’
He said: ‘I’m not a drinker, but sugar has always been my downfall. 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.’
As for this year’s I’m A Celeb, the campmates are yet to be revealed, but speculation is rife as ITV have released the official trailer.
There are rumours that the one and only Mike Tindall has signed up for the new series, with reports saying he will be a ‘must-watch’ in the camp.
Ant and Dec will return to Australia next month after two years in the Welsh castle due to the pandemic, with the new camp being built as we speak.
I’m A Celebrity returns to screens in November.
ITV declined to comment on Mark Labbett’s claims.
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