The Chase Star Shaun Wallace Reveals 30-a-Day Smoking Habit and Extreme Sugar Intake
Shaun Wallace, the celebrated quizzer from ITV's hit show The Chase, has candidly disclosed his history of "extremely bad habits," including a staggering 30-cigarette-a-day smoking addiction and an excessive sugar consumption that saw him adding eight sugars to his coffee and tea.
From Obsession to Abstinence: Wallace's Personal Transformation
The 65-year-old barrister, who has been a fixture on the quiz show since its 2009 debut alongside fellow chasers Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan, Mark Labbett, Darragh Ennis, and Paul Sinha, revealed his tendency to become "obsessed" with certain behaviours before abruptly abandoning them. In an interview with The Sun, Wallace explained, "I've always got bad habits, and extreme bad habits too. I used to have eight sugars in my coffee and in my tea. Then I stopped completely. And cigarettes too, I used to smoke 20 to 30 cigarettes a day. Then I just stopped."
He attributed this pattern to his Gemini nature, stating, "So in terms of extremes, you know, one minute I'm obsessed and the next minute, I'm completely the other way. So I suppose that's the Gemini nature of my sort of existence, actually." This insight into his personality highlights the cyclical nature of his habits, from intense fixation to sudden disinterest.
Praise for Co-Star Mark Labbett's Weight Loss Journey
Wallace also took the opportunity to commend his colleague Mark Labbett, known as "The Beast," for his remarkable weight loss of over 10 stone in recent years. Having lost three stone himself, Wallace expressed admiration for Labbett's dedication to improving his health. "I'm really glad that Mark had lost the weight that he had because he did have health issues. Fair play to him to basically grabbing the bull by the horns and basically taking control of his physical and mental well-being," he said.
He added, "I've always tried to do that myself and we definitely are pleased for each other and the progress we've both made." This mutual support underscores the camaraderie among the chasers, extending beyond the quiz show into personal health achievements.
Mark Labbett's Health Struggles and Transformation
Mark Labbett, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2017, has openly discussed his weight loss journey, which included adopting a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring Patch last year to manage his condition. Reflecting on his transformation, Labbett shared, "I've been a yo-yo dieter and my heaviest was about 29st, then I got fit and was down to about 25st. But I've always actually been surprisingly fit. Even at 25st I could do a proper pumping hour on the cross trainer."
He estimated his current weight to be around 18 stone, noting a return to a physique similar to his rugby-playing days at age 18, albeit with less muscle. Labbett emphasized his motivation to stay healthy for his son, Lawrence, stating, "One of my life goals, because I was a more mature father when Lawrence appeared, is to see him graduate. He'll be 21 when I'm 71, 72, and that's my mission."
Labbett also recounted a wake-up call when he experienced arthritis, saying, "I'd lost a bit of weight before then, but last winter I had my first real attack of arthritis and it was a shock to the system because up to that point you think you're immortal. Then suddenly, when you struggle to walk up stairs, you realise you're not." This experience prompted him to take his health more seriously, leading to significant improvements in his glucose levels and overall well-being.
The revelations from Shaun Wallace and Mark Labbett offer a poignant look into the personal battles and triumphs behind the scenes of one of television's most popular quiz shows, highlighting the importance of health awareness and resilience.
