HE wooed his glamorous girlfriend with a Toby Carvery Gold Card – and now The Chase star Mark “The Beast” Labbett is taking Hayley Palmer to a Beefeater to celebrate their first anniversary.
Mark and entertainment reporter Hayley were at the National Television Awards when he showed off the carvery perk that allows celebs to eat free at the roast dinners chain.
And now, to celebrate the anniversary of their first date in Southsea, close to Hayley’s home city of Portsmouth, they are going to the local steak house, which she loves so much the staff even know what she likes to order.
In an exclusive interview, romantic Mark, 58, says: “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.”
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No jealousy
Glamorous Sky entertainment reporter Hayley, 42, cannot wait.
She says: “I’d make our anniversary last a month if I could, but Mark’s like, ‘No, it’s just a day’.
“Our first date was perfect and I’m looking forward to sitting back on that bench with Mark. It looks out to sea towards the Isle of Wight — a stunning spot. And then obviously on to the local Beefeater.”
Mark earned his nickname thanks to his 6ft 7in build, icy stare and surname, which sounds like la bete — the French for beast.
He reveals he is impressed with the way Hayley handles the attention he gets from fans and insists the secret to their relationship is that there is no jealousy.
Mark, who is filming the 17th series of ITV’s hit quiz show, says: “If Hayley finds a long brunette hair on my jacket she doesn’t go, ‘What have you been up to?’ She knows I do photos. There’s no jealousy — she just gets it.”
Hayley — herself a statuesque 5ft 11in and taller in heels — recently interviewed Mark in front of a sold-out crowd on a cruise from Tenerife to Southampton.
Mark told The Sun on Sunday: “We did a cruise for P&O. We filled 900 seats, and they had to show it on TVs so others could watch.
“I got Hayley to interview me. The audience was amazing. We did so many pictures, she even had a little fan club in the gym each morning. People were calling her Hollywood Hayley because she was so brilliant.”
Hayley witnessed Mark being “mobbed” by female fans every night.
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There’s no jealousy — she just gets it
She said: “There were a lot of ladies who came up to him, and then the guys who want to quiz him.
“They’ll be like, ‘I bet you don’t know the capital of . . .’ And I’ll be thinking, ‘Yes he does.’ It’s usually capital cities and football questions. And he always knows them.
“That’s my man. I have absolutely no problem with all the attention he gets because I just love people.
“I chat away to everyone and understand his situation. When you are with someone in the public eye, you know that’s how it is. But because I love people, I’ll get into hour-long conversations and we’ll all end up having dinner together.”
Smitten Hayley added: “Obviously I think he’s very handsome. His cheek bones are better than mine. He’s such a striking man, so tall. He should be the next James Bond.
“He makes me feel amazing. If there are other people around, he always includes me and makes me feel really good. He’s so respectful and kind. I couldn’t be happier.”
Despite being in such a loving relationship, the couple will not be rushing into marriage.
Hayley says they are happy living in the moment, while Mark is keen for her to make the most of her job opportunities.
He said: “Hayley is working hard on her career and I would never want to get in the way of that.
“She’s working incredibly hard. Her career is going from strength to strength. She needs to get her own show on a network — so ITV, Channel 4. give her a call!”
Hayley added: “We just get on so well, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I feel good in myself — Mark is just my cherry on top. I’m incredibly happy.”
The lovebirds schedule in the time they spend together as Mark is based in Rotherham, South Yorks, close to his young son, who he shares with his ex-wife Katie, while Hayley lives in London.
Mark said: “It makes life easier and it’s not, ‘What is he doing?’, for example. Hayley knows I spent last weekend with my boy. Then I spend days with her and days at work. Currently I’m in London filming The Chase, so it’s great.”
We get on really well and make things work. It’s all rather drama-free
Hayley
And Hayley juggles her weekly show on Sky and Freeview with presenting slots on GB News.
She said: “We get on really well and make things work. It’s all rather drama-free.”
Luckily Hayley knows exactly what to do when she notices Mark is tired.
She said: “I just look at him and say, ‘Let’s get you some food — and now’. When he comes in from filming The Chase I can see he’s struggling. It’s all that brain power.”
Mark admits he gets tougher questions because he is an “A-team Chaser” along with Paul Sinha and Anne Hegerty.
'One of the best'
He says with a laugh: “I love my colleagues but sometimes I think, you didn’t even have to get into second gear there.
“I won today. I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way. But after the show I am wiped out. The contestants never want to face me, Paul or Anne because we win. It’s a wonderful thing.”
From tomorrow, ITV is airing a week of celebrity episodes of the popular spin-off Beat The Chasers.
While Mark is happy to take on a host of celebs, he much prefers going up against ordinary people.
He said: “I love facing the public because when they win £30k or £40k, well, that is life-changing.”
On the future of the show, which is on ITV weekdays at 5pm with Beat The Chasers on every night this week at 9pm, Mark said: “We’re as foolproof as can be and I’m one of the best chasers, so I’m not worried.
“We’ve just recorded our anniversary special to mark 15 years of The Chase. They asked us to bring in photos of when we were 15 — the viewers are in for a treat!"
