Mark Labbett, star of hit gameshow The Chase, has revealed that he was rejected from Dancing On Ice – as he’d have been “too dangerous” to his partner.
The celebrity ice-skating contest returned to ITV after a four-year break in January, a few months after auditions were held for the revival.
Mark, a.k.a. ‘The Beast’, told Digital Spy that he was one of the candidates invited to an ice rink for a practise run.
However, he was eventually dropped from the line-up as bosses worried about what would happen if he slipped up.
He explained: “I have been approached by Dancing On Ice, but they decided quite reasonably I was too dangerous to my partner.
“I went and did an audition with them. I went to an ice rink and I did a test where I skated up and down a bit.
“They saw me walking on my ice skates and decided it was too dangerous . Even though I’ve lost weight, I’m still 24 stone and if I fall on someone, they’ve had it.”
Nonetheless, Mark is eager to get involved in reality TV, proclaiming: “Putting it very simply, if the fee is good, I’ll do it.”
The quizzing pro says he’d “love to” join Strictly Come Dancing, or even I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
But while he reckons the jungle show’s Bushtucker Trials wouldn’t faze him, the lack of food may be an issue.
“I am still eating three or four thousand calories a day,” he explained. “Apparently in the jungle it’s about 800. The weight will fall off me.
“I’m only half joking when I say that after two weeks in the jungle, cannibalism might be on the cards.”
Mark has become a familiar face on our tellies The Chase began way back in 2009.
The fast-paced quiz is one of ITV’s most popular shows, attracting up to 4million viewers in its weekday 5pm slot.
Before becoming a Chaser, Mark was a contestant on several gameshows, including Countdown and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
More on: Dancing On IceMark Labbett
