MARK Labbett’s ex-wife looked completely unrecognizable as she reunited with The Chase star five months after splitting from his girlfriend.

TV quiz show, 59, flashed a giant smile as he posed for a selfie with his former partner Katie31 years old today, with whom he is still legally married.

5

5

Take to his Instagram History, Brand wore a gray sweater and black coat while meeting glamorous Katie for a day out with their seven-year-old son Lawrence.

Katie, her first cousin, pouted at the camera and wore her shiny platinum locks over one shoulder while donning a black and white polo neck.

The couple, who keep their only child out of the spotlight, had visited the Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios for the realization of Harry Potter tour.

Mark wrote in his caption: “Co-parenting in London first part #wbtourlondon. Little Monster loved the Forbidden Forest.”

Mark and Katie confirmed their split in 2020 after spending seven years married – blaming their 27-year age gap and life in Covid-19 lockdown for their problems.

Mark decided to leave his wife so she could live with her lover, Scott, after their open marriage broke down.

Nurse Kate and Mark cited his workload and world travel as the triggers for their split.

However, Mark later admitted to his wife’s ongoing relationship with Scott. had wreaked havoc despite the couple’s initial attempts to have an open marriage.

The star first met Katie via Facebook in 2010.

She said: “I had never heard of Mark or watched The huntbut my grandmother mentioned it, so I was intrigued.

They got together in 2012 and went for drinks on their first date after Mark invited her to watch a Chase celebrity special. They got engaged in October the following year.

Break his silence

Just this week, Mark broke his silence on his split from TV presenter Hayley Palmer.

THE ITV The star ended his relationship with Hayley just weeks after celebrating their first anniversary with a meal at the Beefeater pub and a walk on the beach.

Jilted Hayley has claimed the 6ft 7in quiz, nicknamed The Beastsaid he was ending their year-long romance because he didn’t want to divorce his ex Katie.

But Mark explained the breakup was down to him and his age – saying: “It’s me, I got older.”

Addressed exclusively to The SunMark explained the reason for their breakup, saying: “She (Hayley) is a lovely lady and I was very lucky to date her for a year, and like I said… it’s I have grown old.”

“There hasn’t been anyone since Hayley, I’m not saying there won’t be another. But I’m certainly not looking.”

Opening up about his single life, Mark said: “Just kidding, I’m a shed man – a guy of a certain age who’s quite happy being in or out of a relationship – but loves spending alone time.

“It’s essential, I think it goes back to hunter-gatherer times, where man spent a lot of time alone.

“To be honest, it’s not just men, there are people who actually love their own company.

“I have a friendship group around here where we hang out but at the same time, I really loved this summer, just being quietly here and stuff.”

Mark, who starred in the hit ITV quiz show for 15 years, first wooed Hayley with his Toby Carvery Gold Card.

But the TV favorite has now admitted he is “comfortable” with not having a girlfriend, especially after spending many years single.

He shared: “It’s not that I miss anyone in particular, I was single, not coincidentally, for a long, long time, when I was a 29th grade math teacher, and I knew that it was then quite difficult to attract a partner.

“So I feel quite comfortable without a partner.”

Although Mark is enjoying his single life, he has no shortage of offers, saying his DMs have been flooded with messages from single women.

He laughed: “Yes (single women slide into my DMs) but don’t ask me more than that.

“It’s the ultimate icebreaker at a party, because people come up to you and it doesn’t matter.

“It’s wonderful, but at the same time there are some warning signs.

Mark Labbett and Hayley Palmer’s Relationship Timeline

May 16, 2023 – The couple had their first date at a Toby Carvery in Southsea, Portsmouth.

December 24, 2023 – The couple decided to record a podcast together after dating 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 about not sharing crisps and hilarious inside jokes.

May 25, 2024 – Mark broke up with Hayley over the phone, saying he wasn’t ready to finalize his divorce from ex-wife Katie.

“Things like ‘I’m your number one fan’, that’s never a good sign. It might be good for other people in my position but for me I just say ‘oh no’, defend as much as possible.

“Ultimately, because it happened to me late in life, this profession didn’t exist until I was 43.

“You never wanted to become a good quizzer because you thought you would get fame and glory from it. The profession didn’t exist until 2009. I’m really glad I was a math teacher for 15 years and having had a good job.

“I always think that when I’m offered work, I wonder how many days of actual work I would have to do for it.

“When I went to America and they offered me ridiculous money, all I thought was ‘you’d have to spend a lot of time in class to make that kind of money’.”

Mark insisted he’s very “happy” with the state of his relationship and has no plans to dip his toes into the dating pool anytime soon.

“I’m 59 now, I’ve reached the slippers and comfy chair kind of thing. Right now I’m in my pajamas and doing crafts,” he told us.

“I’ve calmed down a bit. I’m an old man, I might not look it but I am. I’m quite happy doing my own thing.”

He also confirmed he wouldn’t sign up for any celebrity dating apps like Raya, saying: “It’s definitely not a dating app! What’s the old expression… when you’re in a dessert, you desperately need water.

“I’m in a situation where we went out on Saturday night and I had a lot of people come up and talk to me about various things and we don’t feel any particular needs, it’s just nice to chat with people.

“Sometimes you have to be realistic and choose appropriately or whatever.

“While all men are looking for pretty girls, I’m looking for smart girls, call me weird.”

5

5

5