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The Chase’s Mark Labbett reveals diabetes diagnosis was discovered due to skin healing problems
The Chase’s Mark Labbett discovered he had diabetes in 2017 (Picture: Getty)
Mark Labbett has revealed he was diagnosed with diabetes after a nurse spotted he had skin on his legs which had problems healing.
The Chase star, 55, who is known as The Beast on the show, was diagnosed with diabetes in 2017, leading to a lifestyle overhaul which saw him shed 10 stone in weight.
He revealed the diagnosis came thanks to an eagle-eyed nurse despite never having a ‘diabetic episode’ due to low blood glucose.
Mark told The Express: ‘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?”
‘They took a test and she said, “Yes, you’re diabetic.”’
Mark changed his lifestyle following the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, dropping from 29 stone to 19 stone.
The Chase star has lost 10 stone in weight (Picture: Instagram)
He recently told The Sun that the weight loss had impacted more than just his waistline: ‘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.’
In March, Mark revealed on Loose Women that his friend had advised him against getting a gastric band, explaining: ‘I’m not a drinker, but sugar has always been my downfall.
Mark Labbett worked as a teacher before finding fame on The Chase (Picture: ITV)
‘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.’
More: The Chase
He added: ‘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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