You’ve probably seen the headlines or the late-night forum threads. People love a good "secret sibling" story, especially when it involves someone as larger-than-life as Mark Labbett, the man we all know as "The Beast" from The Chase. The internet has a funny way of taking a tiny bit of curiosity and turning it into a full-blown urban legend.
So, let's get into it. Does he have a twin?
The short answer is no. Honestly, he doesn't. But the long answer is way more interesting because it involves real siblings, a lot of height, and why the "twin" rumor just won't die.
Mark Andrew Labbett was born on August 15, 1965, in Tiverton, Devon. He wasn't born with a mirror image of himself. He was actually the first-born child of Carolyn and Jon Labbett. He’s the oldest.
The Real Labbett Brothers
If there’s no twin, who are people actually thinking of? Mark has two younger brothers, Paul Labbett and Philip Labbett. They aren't twins, and they aren't "secret" celebrities, but the family resemblance is definitely there.
When you see a photo of the Labbett brothers together, it’s basically a wall of height. Mark is 6ft 6in. His brothers aren't exactly short either. Because they look so much alike and are often seen in similar circles or supporting Mark’s career, fans often jump to the conclusion that Paul or Philip must be his twin.
It's a common mistake. You see two guys with the same piercing gaze, the same build, and the same surname, and your brain goes: "Aha! Twins!" But nope. Paul and Philip came along after Mark had already established himself as the big brother of the house.
Why the Mark Labbett Twin Brother Rumor Persists
The internet is basically a game of "Telephone" that never ends. One person on Twitter (now X) posts a photo of Mark with a brother and captions it "Mark Labbett and his twin," and suddenly, it's a "fact" recorded in the digital ether.
There are a few specific reasons why this specific rumor keeps popping up:
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- The Family Genes: The Labbett men share very strong physical traits. The height, the facial structure, and that "don't-mess-with-me" quizzing look are all there.
- The Nickname: "The Beast" is a persona. People often look for a "Good Beast" or a "Secret Beast" to balance it out.
- The Confusion with Tim Vine: This is a weird one, but it happens. Fans sometimes conflate different British TV families. For example, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine are brothers who look quite a bit alike. Sometimes, viewers get their wires crossed when thinking about famous UK siblings and project that onto the Chasers.
Let's be real for a second. If there were a second 6ft 6in Labbett roaming around with the same IQ as Mark (which is a staggering 155, by the way), he’d probably be on The Chase too. Can you imagine two of them? The contestants wouldn't stand a chance.
A Family Built on Brains
Growing up in Tiverton before moving to Monmouthshire and later Newport, the Labbett household wasn't just about size; it was about smarts. Mark’s journey to becoming a professional quizzer wasn't an accident. He has a Master’s in Mathematics from Oxford. He’s a qualified teacher. He even has legal qualifications.
His brothers, Paul and Philip, have mostly stayed out of the spotlight compared to Mark. While Mark was off winning £32,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and conquering the American and Australian versions of The Chase, his brothers were living more private lives.
There's something kinda refreshing about that. In a world where every family member of a celebrity tries to launch a reality show or an influencer career, the Labbett brothers just... exist. They support Mark, they show up to events, and then they go back to their own lives.
The "Second Cousin" Mix-up
Another reason people get confused about Mark’s family tree is his previous marriage. Mark was married to Katie Labbett for about six years. The twist? They discovered after they were already together that they were actually second cousins.
This made huge headlines. People were shocked, but Mark and Katie were always very open about it—it was a total accident. They have a son together, and even though they separated in 2020, they’ve remained remarkably civil for the sake of their kid.
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When people hear "married his cousin" and "brothers who look like him," the family tree starts to look a bit blurry to the average Googler. This is likely where the Mark Labbett twin brother search queries start to blend with other family-related curiosities.
What Mark Says About His Siblings
Mark doesn't talk about his brothers constantly, but when he does, it's with a lot of warmth. He’s a family man at heart. Despite the "Beast" persona on TV—where he’s paid to be intimidating and a bit arrogant—off-camera, he’s known for being quite grounded.
He’s been through a lot lately. He lost a massive amount of weight (over 10 stone) following a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. He went through a high-profile breakup with TV presenter Hayley Palmer in 2024. Through all the ups and downs of fame, his core family—his parents and his brothers—have been the constant.
Fact-Checking the "Twin" Claims
If you ever see a photo online claiming to show Mark's twin, do a quick mental check:
- Is it Paul Labbett? He’s Mark’s younger brother.
- Is it Philip Labbett? Also a younger brother.
- Is it a mirror? Mark is a big guy; he takes up a lot of the frame!
There is no record in any birth registry, biography, or interview of Mark having a twin. He’s the eldest of three. Period.
How to Follow the Real Story
If you want the actual scoop on Mark’s life, you’re better off looking at his own social media or his appearances on The Chase. He’s very active on Instagram, where he shares updates about his health journey, his son, and his work.
The "twin" thing is just one of those weird internet glitches. It's like the Mandela Effect for game show fans. We want it to be true because it would be a cool story, but the reality—a guy from Devon who used his massive brain to become an international TV star—is actually much more impressive.
What to do next:
- Check the Credits: Next time you watch The Chase, look at how Mark interacts with the "family" of Chasers. That’s his professional family, including Paul Sinha and Anne Hegerty.
- Verify Sources: If a tabloid mentions a twin, look for a name. If there’s no name, it’s clickbait.
- Focus on the Stats: Mark’s real "twin" is his record on the show. He has one of the highest win percentages in the history of the format. That’s the "Beast" we should be talking about.
Mark Labbett remains one of the most fascinating figures on British TV. Whether he's crushing dreams on a quiz show or being a dad at home, he does it with a scale and intelligence that doesn't need a twin to be interesting.