ITV The Chase star Mark Labbett shares real reason he dumped Hayley and dating 'red flags'

The Chase star Mark Labbett has spoken out about his recent break up with journalist Hayley Palmer - revealing the real reason behind their split. The 59 year old ITV quiz expert, nicknamed The Beast, ended things with Hayley just weeks after they celebrated their one-year anniversary in May.

Mark attributed the separation to personal factors, specifically his age, admitting: "It's me, I got old". 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."

He added: "I'm 59 now, I've reached the sort of slippers and comfy chair kind of thing. Right now I'm in my PJs and pottering around the place. I'm settled down a little bit. I am an old man, I might not look it but I am. I'm quite content doing my own thing."

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Mark said he hasn't been on any dates since the split and wasn't looking for love. But he admitted women had been sliding into his DMs since the break up.

The Chase star added: "It's wonderful but at the same time there are certain warning signs. Things like 'I'm your number one fan', that's never a good sign. It might be great for other people in my position but for me, I'm just going 'oh no', defences to a maximum."

He also dismissed the idea of joining any celebrity dating apps like Raya, explaining: "Definitely not a dating app! What's the old phrase...when you're in a dessert, you're desperate for water.

"I'm in a situation where we went out on Saturday night and I got a load of people come over to talk to me on various things and you don't feel any particular needs, it's just nice to chat to people."

He added: "While every man is looking for pretty girls, I'm looking for smart girls, call me strange."