THE CHASE'S Mark Labbett enjoyed a lunch date with Emma Louise Jones yesterday - nine months on from his bitter split from Hayley Palmer.
Mark, 59, best known as The Beast on the ITV quiz show, sent fans into a frenzy after posting from his meal with the stunning BBC sports presenter, 35.
Known for her work with Sky Sports and Channel 5 News too, Emma often covers football and is thought to be single.
Taking to his Instagram Story, the pair mouthed along to an audio clip of Mark boasting about his famous Toby Carvery Gold Card.
Emma lip-synced to The Chase host Bradley Walsh saying: "How has your life changed since becoming a Chaser, Beast?"
Mark replied: "Four words. Toby Carvery Gold Card."
Blonde bombshell Emma branded the meet-up a "Showbiz lunch" in her caption.
The card, available by invitation only, grants holders complimentary meals at the roast dinner chain.
Mark has previously mentioned using it to impress his former girlfriend, Hayley Palmer.
In an interview, he revealed that he wooed Hayley by showcasing his Gold Card, allowing them to enjoy meals together at the restaurant.
The pair even had their first date at a Toby Carvery in Portsmouth.
In May 2024, The Sun revealed the ITV star ended their year-long relationship during a three-minute call.
The split occurred just days after celebrating their first anniversary, with Hayley announcing on Instagram: "It is with regret I announce that myself and Mark have gone our separate ways."
She later confessed feeling "completely crushed" by the abrupt end of their relationship.
Mark has since spoken out about his relief at being single again, telling us: “I’m just quite content being on my own.
“Facts are easy. Numbers are easy. People are complicated.
“I could sum me up as the kind of guy who could tell you the capital of Estonia is Tallinn but would have no idea why that pretty girl is giving me a funny half-smile.
“That’s why I never played poker seriously, because I realised I can’t read people.”
But Hayley hit back at her former partner's 'heartless' comments on social media.
Taking to Instagram, she told fans in December: “I think it’s a shame that someone could say something so heartless over a relationship that lasted over a year.
"I have moved on and working to be the best version of myself.
"I think what is actually serious is Mental Health and we should all be working together towards a caring Christmas. X."
TV presenter Hayley was Mark's first girlfriend since he split from his wife Katie.
Mark's marriage to Katie, with whom he shares a son, ended in 2020 after seven years.
The separation was attributed to their 27-year age gap and challenges during lockdown.
Despite their split, Mark and Katie have maintained an amicable relationship, co-parenting their son.
The former couple are still legally married - and recently reunited for a co-parenting trip to the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
