The Chase star Mark Labbett's girlfriend Hayley talks about dating him as she says he wants to do Strictly

The Beast from The Chase wants to put on his dancing shoes and join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing after shedding nine stone.

Mark Labbett, 57, has been one of the chasers on the ITV game show since 2009 and is one of the most recognisable faces on our TV screens.

However, during his tint on the show, he went through a tough time, including splitting up from his wife Katie, 30, with whom he shares five-year-old son Lawrence.

The pair called it quits during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The 6ft 7in television personality now has a new romance, with TV presenter Hayley Palmer, 41, who talked about their relationship and shared his wish to take part in the long-running BBC ballroom competition series.

Instagram/@markthebeastlabbett

“It’s still early days but we are both really happy,” Palmer told The Sun. “It’s been such a lovely whirlwind.”

The couple first met at the National Television Awards and Labbett woo'd his girlfriend by showing off his Toby Carvery Gold Card, which allows celebrities to eat for free at the roast dinner chain.

The ITV quiz master has lost 9st since having a 'complete nutrition overhaul' in 2020.

“He looks incredible," Palmer gushed. "I’m so proud of him. He looks really good."

And Palmer wants to help her boyfriend achieve one of his biggest ambitions.

"He really wants to do Strictly," she revealed. "And I used to be a dancer as well, so I'd be able to help him."

Instagram/@markthebeastlabbett

And preparation for the 2023 series is set to begin shortly, with Gemma Atkinson, who is engaged to professional dancer Gorka Marquez, revealing that he is set to leave home soon to start rehearsals this month.

Announcing the birth of their second child, Atkinson said last week: "We're all home together soaking up this lovely little bubble before Gorka has to leave for Strictly rehearsals next week."

With months to go until the new series begins this, rumours are rife about the celebrity contestants.

So it may not be too late for Labbett to add Strictly contestant to his CV this year if the BBC is able to make it happen.

On top of appearing in the UK version of The Chase, Labbett also films for the Australian version of the show and he's also part of the US game show Master Minds.

He's a very busy man but hopefully Strictly is on the horizon...

Topics: ITV, Strictly Come Dancing, The Chase, Celebrity

Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist for LADbible. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.