The Chase's Mark Labbett makes bid for 'I'm A Celebrity' after wowing with weight loss

Watch: The Chase's Mark Labbett beaten in quiz on This Morning

The Chase star Mark Labbett claims he has repeatedly been turned down for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! because of his size.

The 57-year-old quiz show star - known as The Beast - wowed viewers on This Morning when he appeared to discuss his new book, showing off his slimmed-down figure after shedding 10 stone.

Labbett revealed he is really keen to take part in the jungle reality show, but has been turned down four times as bosses have been worried about his health.

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He told The Daily Star: “Four times I’ve been asked to apply for an ITV reality TV show. But at every point they’ve gone from really wanting me to suddenly my weight is an issue. I’m getting a bit jacked off about that. Especially now that I’m down to the weight I am.”

“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.”

He added: “I’d love to do it. I know one thing I’m safe from - they’re never going to get me on a parachute! It’s just really annoying that they invite me in for an interview and then weight is mentioned and I’m out.”

Celebrities taking part in the ITV show live on basic rations of beans and rice amounting to 700 calories a day during their time in the camp, with the opportunity to win extra food by taking part in challenges.

This Morning viewers commented on his slim figure, with one tweeting: "Wow @MarkLabbett on This Morning has lost so much weight but he looks great."

Labbett - who is 6ft 6in - previously revealed that he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during a routine health check in 2016.

The Chase star - who weighed 29 stone at his heaviest - was inspired by his diabetes diagnosis to try and lose weight, by cutting down on sugar and working out.

He slimmed down a lot over lockdown thanks to a new fitness routine and in March 2021 revealed his weight was at the lowest it had been for 25 years, after he dropped to 19 stone.

Labbett credited being a parent and avoiding pub food for the changes in his lifestyle.

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He said: "The principal thing has been running after a hyperactive three-year-old in lockdown when the nurseries were shut."