22 July 2023 , 21:18
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Mark Labbett would love to swap The Chase for the cha-cha according to his new girlfriend.
Hayley Palmer, 41, has lifted the lid on her five-month romance with the telly brain box, revealing how he wooed her with freebie roast dinner buffets at Toby Carvery, and presented her with boxes of Malteasers.
But the most surprising admission is his secret longing to appear on Strictly Come Dancing - and it's an ambition she believes she can help him achieve.
Speaking to The Sun she said: "He really wants to do Strictly. And I used to be a dancer as well, so I’d be able to help him."
Hayley and Mark, 57, met at last year's National Television Awards, but it wasn't until recently that their friendship turned to love.
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When they first met, Mark was going through a tough time having split from his 30-year-old wife Katie, the mother of their son Lawrence, 5, during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mark Labbett and Hayley Palmer have been dating for five months (Splash News / Shutterstock 2023)He also caught the killer virus, prompting him to overhaul his lifestyle and shed a huge 9 - 10 stone - but the 6"7 trivia boffin still loves his food, impressing Hayley at the NTAs by flashing his Toby Carvery gold card, which gets him free dinners at the iconic pub chain.
Hayley added that he has a lot more to offer the relationship, although she stopped short of reviewing his performance in the bedroom.
She said: "He’s really, really romantic and he treats me so well. He’s a big teddy bear. He gives the best cuddles."
And during a recent trip to LA, they ate cheese toasties and fries, and he took her our shopping to buy a bag and posh face cream with their names engraved on the jars.
The pair have been enjoying getting to know one another (Instagram)Mark credits Hayley with giving him a new lease of life after he split with the mum of his son. The couple were married for six years after meeting on social media in 2010, and they later they discovered they were actually second cousins.
The only thing he can see being a problem in his new relationship is the distance between the couple. Hayley lives in Chelsea, London while Mark resides in Rotherham - 150 miles away.
Admitting the "mileage and motorway will get to you at some point", Mark revealed it's probably time he moved down to the capital because his work is there. Mark has been on The Chase since 2009 and is a huge hit with fans.
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