The Chase’s Mark Labbett cosies up to brunette and makes joke about ‘flashing her knickers’ months after shock split
THE Chase's newly-single star Mark Labbett has set tongues wagging after enjoying a lunch date with a stunning brunette.
Mark, 59, joined pretty Lianne Wellings for a slap-up roast on the weekend at the fancy Seasons Restaurant in Rotherham.
The pair enjoyed roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, followed by chocolate cake and ice-cream.
Mark, who split from his girlfriend Hayley Palmer in May, even made a joke about Lianne "flashing her knickers" on social media.
'The Beast' took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself with his arm around Lianne.
"At least you're not flashing your knickers this week!" he captioned it, alongside a 'crying with laughter' emoji.
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Lianne also shared the photo to her Stories, saying: "Bit different to last Saturday... Best night with ma best buddy."
Mark and blonde bombshell Hayley shocked fans when they announced their break-up five months ago.
The Chase star had been dating the 42-year-old Sky entertainment journalist for a year.
Hayley confirmed the news on her Instagram Stories with a post that read: “It is with regret I announce that myself and Mark have gone our separate ways.
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"We had the best year together and I truly wish him all the best for the future."
She ended the messaged: "Off I go to listen to Taylor Swift."
Just weeks before their split, the couple had appeared more loved up than ever after celebrating their anniversary at a Beefeater in Southsea, Hants.
In the lead up, Mark had told The Sun how he'd hoped to whisk her to the family-friendly eatery once they had visited the bench they were sitting on when they first became a couple.
He said: “We found a bench in a peaceful spot by the beach and spent hours talking and getting to know each other, so we’ve decided to go back to celebrate our anniversary.
“As luck would have it, there’s a rather nice Beefeater near to where her parents live. They already know Hayley’s order — nachos and chips.”
Mark and Hayley had also appeared on Loose Women just 11 days before making their split public.
During the chat, however, Hayley admitted to struggling with their long distance relationship.
Mark Labbett and Hayley Palmer's relationship timeline
May 16, 2023 - The pair went on their first date to a Toby Carvery in Southsea, Portsmouth.
December 24, 2023 - The couple decided to record a podcast together after being in a relationship for several months. They planned to cover everything from Mark wooing Hayley with his Toby Carvery card to dating in the public eye, shopping trips, their big rule of not sharing chips and hilarious inside jokes.
May 16, 2025 - Mark whisks Hayley to Southsea for their one-year anniversary. This time they dined in a Beefeater.
May 25, 2024 - Mark broke up with Hayley over the phone, saying he wasn't ready to finalise his divorce with his ex wife Katie.
September 2, 2024 - Hayley confirms she has moved on with a new man.
October 28, 2024 - Mark is pictured on lunch date with brunette content creator Lianne Wellings.
Mark lives in Rotherham in Sheffield, and Hayley in London, meaning they had to consult their diaries in order to see each other.
"Because we live quite a bit apart, I live up in Sheffield and she's a Chelsea girl, we tend to look at our diaries and see when we can sync up together," Mark told the Loose Women panel.
"The good news is we see each other every few weeks and we make the most of it when we are together."
Hayley added: "We get excited when we see each other, which is really nice. We don't see each other and then we really look forward to coming together and no sharing our chips."
Last month, however, Hayley confirmed she had moved on with someone new.
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When asked in a Q&A with fans on social media if she was dating, Hayley responded: "There is a certain someone... but I'm not revealing all!"
A week later, she teased a snap while enjoying a meal out with a mystery man who was wearing a light blue shirt.
