Who is The Chase star The Beast and who’s his wife Katie Labett?
THE Chase star Mark Labbett has always been an avid quizzer but he is best known for starring on the popular ITV show.
The Beast's private life has come into the spotlight after the news of his divorce broke.
Who is The Chase star 'The Beast'?
Mark Labbett was born on August 15 1965 in Devon.
He earned the nickname, 'The Beast' because his last name sounds like the French word, La Bete, which means beast.
He went to Oxford University's Exeter College and obtained a Master's degree in maths.
The genius went on to get a PGCE (postgraduate Certificate in Education), a legal CPE (Common Professional Examination) and LPC (Legal Practice Course) from the University of Exeter and the University of South Wales.
He taught maths and PE in a number of secondary schools before he pursued his quiz dreams.
In the late 90s, he became a regular face in quizzing competitions before he landed a spot on Mastermind where he specialised in the Olympics and The Simpsons.
Since then he has appeared on Countdown, Brain Taser and The University Challenge.
Labbett became a household name after being cast as one of the 'Chasers' on ITV's The Chase.
Who is his wife Katie Labbett?
Katie, 28, is her ex-husband Mark's second cousin.
She said she wasn't aware of their "unusual" relations when they first met.
The nurse is 27 years his junior.
And she helped Mark trim down by removing sugar from his diet.
She is now known by a "Beauty" in reference to her husband's nickname, "The Beast".
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What has 'The Beast' said about their split?
Katie and Mark entered an open relationship, where she started seeing senior design engineer Scott Bate.
However, Mark decided that an open relationship wasn't for him, and the pair amicably split.
Mark, 55, said: “There was never any deceit on Katie’s part but it’s got to the point now where I realise it is better for us to go our separate ways and remain friendly.”
Nurse Katie, 28, who has been dating senior design engineer Scott Bate, 30, for 18 months, added: “I just want everyone to know what’s what and that we are all happy.”
He added: “Jealousy is so negative. Nearly every other emotion has some benefit but jealousy just sort of makes you stop functioning.
“I don’t want to get to the stage when someone mentions Scott’s name and my shoulders tense.
“All that matters is what is best for our son."