Hayley Palmer has said she was left ‘shocked’ after it was announced ex Mark Labbett had signed up for Celebs Go Dating following their ‘public and painful’ split last year.
The TV personality, 43, and The Chase star, 59, announced their break up in May 2024 just days after their one-year anniversary, with her later claiming that she’d been left needing counselling for ‘betrayal trauma’ after being dumped in a three-minute phone call.
Hayley told MailOnline that she ‘never in a million years’ imagined Mark, AKA the Beast, would agree to appear on a dating show, following his place in the E4 line-up being revealed alongside Kerry Katona, 44, Christine McGuinness, 37 and S Club’s Jon Lee, 42.
However the presenter also said she was glad to see her ex following her example and starting a new life chapter, after she’d spent the year following their break up ‘pouring love and confidence’ into herself.
She said: ‘I never thought in a million years he’d go on a dating show after such a painful and public breakup’.
Hayley previously claimed Mark ended their romance because he didn’t want to divorce ex, Katie, 32, with whom he shares seven-year-old son Lawrence.
Hayley Palmer, 42, has said she was left ‘shocked’ after it was announced ex Mark Labbett, 59, had signed up for Celebs Go Dating following their ‘public and painful’ split last year
The TV personality and The Chase star, 59, announced their break up in May 2024 just days after their one-year anniversary, with her later claiming that she’d been left needing counselling for ‘betrayal trauma’ after being dumped in a three-minute phone call
Mark and nurse Katie split in 2020 after seven years of marriage and continue to co-parent their son, often sharing snaps of family outings to social media.
However despite the surprise of Mark’s upcoming appearance on the show the Hayley said she wish him ‘all the best’ in finding Mrs Right and his happy ever after.
‘I genuinely wish him well. I am excited for him to start a new chapter in his life just like I am’.
On tips for Mark’s next potential partner, Hayley laughed: ‘Just sure that they love a Toby Carvery and great on a pub quiz team’ – after she initially fell for the Quiz star after he flashed her his Toby Carvery card.
Asked about her own relationship statement Hayley confessed: ‘I have been working so hard and pouring love and confidence back into myself. I am a hopeless romantic and will never give up on my fairytale of true love’.
Following the news of his involvement in the latest Celebs Go Dating series Mark said: ‘I’m a bit nervous about doing this because it is outside my comfort zone but, at the same time,’
‘It’s an opportunity to do something I wouldn’t normally do and let’s face it, it’s a chance to meet and date interesting women, what more could I want?’.
It comes after Hayley made it clear that she is putting herself first after the ‘traumatic’ split and expressed her determination to move forward and focus on self improvements.
Hayley said ‘never in a million years’ imagined Mark would agree to appear on a dating show, following their break which which she claimed left her needing counselling for ‘betrayal trauma’
However despite the surprise of Mark’s upcoming appearance on the show the Hayley said she wish him ‘all the best’ in finding Mrs Right and his happy ever after
She told Fabulous: ‘I’m focusing on my self-worth and working towards the body I’ve always wanted.
‘It was a horrible breakup, and he was truly beastly. But now, I’m all about becoming the best version of myself.
‘I’m at the gym every day, swimming, doing affirmations, getting my steps in, doing body pump, and lifting weights.’
Despite Hayley’s claims Mark ended their year-long romance because he didn’t want to divorce his ex, Katie, he told The Sun: ‘She’s [Hayley’s] a lovely lady and I was very lucky to date her for a year, and as I said…it’s me, I got old.’
Last year Hayley confessed to MailOnline that she was forced to turn the TV channel over after seeing him on Loose Women as she admitted she found it ‘triggering’.
She said at the time: ‘It was really upsetting seeing him pop up on my screen, and I had to turn over. I didn’t expect it to feel like that.
‘As the last time he was on there, I was sat beside him and we were speaking about celebrating our one year anniversary and then exactly one week later my world came crashing down.’
Hayley previously claimed Mark ended their romance because he didn’t want to divorce ex, Katie, 32, with whom he shares seven-year-old son Lawrence (pictured together 2018)
She added: ‘To be honest thinking about him with anyone just brings it all back.’
Hayley explained she was taken aback by her feeling as she continued: ‘It was triggering. I didn’t think it would be as I have worked really hard on my mindset and have been in a good place.’
Hayley previously claimed Mark ‘lives up to his nickname’ after ‘blindsiding’ her by brutally breaking-up with her over the phone.
