Star of ITV's The Chase Mark Labbett has revealed that EastEnders icon Shaun Williamson almost became a Chaser.

Known as 'The Beast', Mark shared how the Barry Evans star was very close to becoming a Chaser after his impressive appearance on the ITV show.

Appearing on the Celebrity Chase, Mark said that bosses and Chasers on the show were shocked by Shaun's quizzing talents.

EastEnders star nearly became a Chaser

Shaun Williamson is best known for starring as Barry Evans on EastEnders.Shaun Williamson is best known for starring as Barry Evans on EastEnders. (Image: PA)

Opening up about the moment, Mark said: "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."

The Beast went on to praise Shaun: "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."

The EastEnders star was not the only person to impress the Chasers, with cricket star Phil Tufnell and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen also praised.

As Mark said: "Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen is a very good all-round quizzer but isn't as strong with sports.

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"I think he was paired with Phil Tufnell who, obviously, is a sport specialist, and it was a lethal pairing. But to be a Chaser, you need to have that all-round knowledge with no weak spots."

Discussing who is the best of the Chasers, Mark confidently said: "'m arrogant enough to say I'm the best chaser in the world. One or two of my colleagues look funny at me, and I sort of go, 'Prove me wrong'.

"Our job is that you have to be tested all the time, I say the price of being the best is you have got to prove it."