The Chase star Mark 'The Beast' Labbett and his TV presenter ex Hayley Palmer reunite two years after their acrimonious split when he 'refused to divorce' his second cousin

The Chase star Mark 'The Beast' Labbett and his TV presenter ex Hayley Palmer have reunited two years after their acrimonious split. 

The former couple met up at Nando's for a dinner, which they both documented on Instagram, in the wake of their acrimonious split, which came to be when he 'refused to divorce' his second cousin and 'blindsiding' her with their break-up. 

The blonde beauty, 44, looked stunning as she beamed while resting her head on the quiz expert's shoulder, while he showed off his slimmed down look. 

The friendly display between the pair may come as a shock, after 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.

However, despite her claims, Mark 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.'

In December, Mark let Hayley down when he pulled out of appearing on her show, despite her announcing the interview the previous month. 

Hayley announced she would be interviewing star at London's Hippodrome despite blocking him when he dumped her after their one-year anniversary.

At the time, Hayley claimed that they split because he 'didn't want to divorce' his ex-wife Katie, who is also his second cousin, with him later blaming their age-gap.

Hayley was due to sit down with Mark on January 26, during her An Audience with show, as he 'opens up about his extraordinary career, from dominating the world of competitive quizzing to becoming a household name on prime-time television'.

Mark pulled out, with a source telling The Daily Mail he 'had a change of heart'.

'Mark would have been the perfect guest for Hayley's audience.

'They are both adults and were happy to put the split in the past, but after thinking things over, Mark had a change of heart and has pulled out,' the insider told the Daily Mail, adding that Mark let Hayley know of his absence in a text message on Monday.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Hayley penned: 'Just a quick update. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mark Labbett will no longer be appearing on my Audience with… show on January 26.

'Many of you were excited at the prospect of seeing me interview Mark and hearing his story. If you've bought a ticket, don't worry, you'll receive an automatic refund.

'The show will most definitely go on however. I've got an incredible line up of celebrity interviews for 2026 and I'll announce who will be appearing soon.

'My show with Suzi Quatro this weekend is a complete sell out!

'Thank you everyone for your support and good wishes. Onwards and upwards!'