Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates, two-thirds of the Match of the Day presenting team alongside Gabby Logan, are reportedly in a relationship. The pair reportedly got together earlier this year and recently went public at a party in London after initially keeping their romance under wraps, according to reports. News of the relationship has delighted friends, with many wondering why they hadn't got together sooner.
BBC colleague's on-air jibe
Pundit Chris Sutton couldn't resist poking fun at his BBC colleagues after news of the romance broke. On Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the former Chelsea and Blackburn striker brought up regular presenter Chapman's absence.
Stand-in host Alistair Bruce-Ball said: "Chris Sutton has got a rather mischievous look on his face this evening, which worries me slightly." Sutton cheekily asked: "I just wondered where our leader is this evening, where's Mark?" Bruce-Ball said: "Mark Chapman, not here this evening."
That led to Sutton responding: "So then normally second in charge is Kelly Cates. Where's Kelly Cates this evening?" Bruce-Ball replied: "I don't know Chris, otherwise engaged, I think. If they are not listening to the show, whatever they are up to, it is available to listen by the podcast, if that is what they want to do."
Despite Sutton's playful hints, the couple weren't actually together as Cates was presenting the Legends of Football Awards, where Thierry Henry and Karen Carney were honoured.
Ex reportedly furious
While news of the relationship has been broadly welcomed, there is one person who has reportedly been left furious - Chapman's ex. He had been going steady with Dubai-based property developer Clere Collier until they suddenly split in April. The break-up reportedly left Collier furious as she had been planning to move back to the UK. The pair had even been spotted house-hunting together.
A source told the Daily Mail: "It all came as a shock to Clere when Mark told her that. She was heartbroken when he ended things. She was not happy at all." Collier was said to be "shocked and upset" that he had moved on so quickly.
Cates' dating doubts
Cates has previously claimed that she struggled to get her head around dating after splitting from her husband. The 51-year-old told Logan on The Mid Point: "I don't have a picture in my head of why a middle-aged, slightly overweight mother of two could possibly be attractive."
"The thought of going on a date, spending an evening with someone and at the end of it thinking, 'Well, I don't really like you.' I would be so resentful of them taking up my time."
"Obviously, it's vice versa, too, but I'm not really bothered about it from their perspective, bearing in mind I don't get to see the people I do like very often. Imagine going out with somebody and you sit there half way through and think, 'God, this guy is an idiot'."
Cates insisted she wasn't thinking about a long-term relationship but having finally got together with a long-time friend in Chapman, her stance appears to have changed.
