The Chase star Mark Labbett has revealed that he is “very happy” on his own – weeks after reports he had a new girlfriend.
Mark recently signed up for Celebs Go Dating. And it seemed like the relationship experts worked wonders for the Chaser, who was said to have walked away from the E4 series with a new love.
During his time on the show, Mark appeared to have a connection with beautician Deanne Perkins, 57, with their first dates being chronicled on the show. However, after the cameras stopped rolling, Mark appears to have hinted that he is now single.
The Chase star Mark Labbett’s ‘new girlfriend’
The news Mark had a new flame came 15 months after he split from girlfriend Hayley Palmer. They announced their split in May 2024. It came days after they marked their one-year anniversary with gushing social media posts. Mark subsequently blamed himself and said he’d got “too old” for 44-year-old Hayley.
The Celebs Go Dating relationship experts clearly took that information on board when it came to acting as matchmakers for Mark. They paired him with Deanne Perkins, 57. And their connection seemed to be “instant” as it was claimed Mark and Deanne had been quietly dating since filming wrapped.
‘He’s hoping Deanne is The One’
A source told The Sun at the time of filming, 6ft 6in Mark “instantly connected” with 5ft 2in beautician Deanne.
A source alleged: “Mark and Deanne instantly connected and have been enjoying getting to know each other away from the cameras. Mark discovered a lot about himself through the coaching on the series.
“It’s no secret Mark has not had the best luck when it comes to love so is hoping that Deanne is The One for him.”
However, it seems things weren’t to be for the pair, as the Beastie boy has spoken out.
In an interview with the Mail, Mark revealed he’s not bothered about having a relationship. “It’s not as urgent as it used to be. I’m very happy on my own.
“It’s a committee of one. If you want to do something then you do it, like if I want to watch that film, then I do it. Saturday mornings, I put Sky Sports on and I stay in all weekend. That’s heaven.
“Some people have to be in a relationship but I’m not that bothered about it now, and I am pretty comfortable being on my own. Plus, bear in mind with my lifestyle I’m all over the world.”
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The Beast’s relationship history
Mark Labbett has a pretty complicated relationship history.
Back in 2014, Mark tied the knot with wife Katie. They’d met two years prior when Mark had invited her to watch a recording of the celebrity edition of The Chase. Katie is 27 years younger than Mark. And, after they wed, they discovered they’re actually second cousins.
“It wasn’t something we were aware of at the time – it was one of those things that happened,” Mark admitted during an appearance on Loose Women.
They share a son, Lawrence, seven. However, after Katie met someone else and they pair attempted to have an open relationship, the cracks started to appear and they announced their split in 2020.
Mark Labbett branded a ‘heartless narcissist’ by ex-girlfriend
In 2023, he met Hayley Palmer. However, it all came crashing down for the pair exactly a year after they made things official. Hayley claims Mark dumped her over the phone.
She has since called him a “heartless narcissist“. Her comments came after he spoke out following their split and revealed his reasons for not yet having divorced wife Katie.
“It will happen if either Katie or I get with someone serious — then it might obviously be a different matter,” he said. Hayley fired back: “I think it’s a shame that someone could say something so heartless over a relationship that lasted over a year.”
Read more: Inside Celebs Go Dating star Nadia Essex’s feud with Eden Blackman following his tragic death
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