The Chase’s Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett reveals EastEnders legend almost became a chaser on the show
THE Chase’s Mark Labbett has revealed an EastEnders legend almost became a chaser on the show.
The Beast revealed the actor secretly met with bosses for a trial on the hit quiz series.
And they headhunted the former postman after he competed against the Chasers in the celebrity edition.
Mark told OK!: “The celebrity version of the show is a different game show, they come on for charity and to entertain people.
“Unashamedly, we tailor the questions to give them a chance.
“There are one or two exceptions, like Sean Williamson seriously got tried out to be a chaser and he is not far away.
“He was smart enough to know, ‘Look, I’m good but I’m not at their level’. But he’s a very, very good quizzer.”
Shaun Williamson appeared on the ITV quiz show back in 2021 and scooped £120,000 for charity.
Shaun, who played Barry Evans in EastEnders, was described as a “real opponent” by Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan following a jaw-dropping appearance.
The bold actor opted to take on all five Chasers for the largest pot of cash.
Despite the pressure, Shaun remained calm and answered his questions well, ending up winning the huge amount of money with an impressive 15 seconds to spare.
As gold confetti burst all around Shaun as he jumped for joy, host Bradley Walsh told him: “That was great, what a performance that was. Absolutely tip top.”
He asked Shaun how he felt and the actor replied: “Honestly, inside I’m dancing.
“It means so much to the charity, thank you so much to everyone. They’re going to be so over the moon. It’s going to help so many people. Thank you.”
Shaun came to acting late, after the Navy and a stint as a postman.
He also worked in the wines & spirits department at supermarket Safeway, before being shot to fame as cult hero’ Barry Evans in EastEnders.
Hapless car salesman Barry met a grisly end back in 2004 when wife Janine Butcher pushed him off a cliff to his death.