Mark Labbett - Celebs Go Dating 2025
Category: Press Pack ArticleWhy did you decide to join the agency?
Well, it's nice to do something different. I mean, obviously the vast majority of my TV work is in a studio on a quiz show and it was really interesting doing a reality show. It's definitely out of my comfort zone!
How did you feel about putting your romantic life in the hands of other people?
Well, in one sense it's a bit easier because, you know, I could be cynical and say I haven't done a very good job at looking after myself, so I might as well let the experts do it!
Do you date differently after stepping into the public eye?
Well, you may very well think that I couldn't possibly comment, but let's face it, a little part of you is always thinking, imagine there's a pap taking photos at the moment. It means you're a very well behaved boy all the time, especially in public.
How would you describe your romantic life right now?
Very quiet, obviously. I was in a relationship up until about a year ago. but since then there's been nobody. I've been living quietly up in sunny Yorkshire. I am quite happy on my own. It's been lovely doing the dates, but at the same time, I am a man who's used to being on his own, so that holds no fear for me.
What have the other Chasers said about you doing the show?
I have barely seen them because we hadn't been filming when I was doing Celebs Go Dating. And you probably won't be too surprised to learn that when we've been back together filming the new series of The Chase, we don't bother with relationships. It's straight onto who's got quiz questions. We're monomaniacal professionals, we train hard so we can be as good as we possibly can. And people always say, how do you get to be a Chaser? That's how. By constantly practicing.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Well, I wasn't certain. So it was a chat with the agents first and obviously they’re the experts. I said, to be fair, because I travel a lot with my job, I go everywhere to work, it's probably not going to work if I'm with someone who wants to be joined at the hip. So someone who would be happy to go out for a couple of dates a month kind of thing. Not a part time relationship but you're not going to be around. Anyone who works in TV knows you're away a lot. Looks wise, you might not be super surprised to hear that tall features heavily in my description of the perfect partner. Obviously with me being nearly 6 foot 7, it does kind of help if I can look a girl in the eye or get close to it!
And what about turn offs?
Well, I'm not much of a drinker, or hardly at all. I find, for example, it's very rare I stay out much beyond midnight because once people have had a drink it can be no fun for me or them.
Your last few relationships have been a big age gap, so are you exploring dating older women?
It’s just the way it happened to break, that there’s been an age gap. Before I met my wife there were a couple of dates with women who were a few years older than me, it didn’t matter to me. I think the age gap matters more to other people than me. You never know who you're going to get on with. So it's really about the person, not the number. The only thing when it comes to dating is I'm afraid that I am conscious of the visuals of it.
What are you like on a date?
Well, I would say I was terrible, but apparently, according to the agents, I did a bit better than that. So I have a rule in life and that is when you chat to an expert, listen to them. Take it on board. And I will blow my own trumpet. I did listen to them and hopefully, I got a bit better at dating as a result of this.
What tips did the agents give you?
Well, there was some suggestions on flirting, which I felt uncomfortable with. It didn't feel natural. But the major one there was to really listen and take an interest and I have got to say that kind of worked.
Did you have any disasters while dating?
I don’t think total disasters. There was a story that I fell asleep on one of the dates. It's a wonderful story, it’s just not true. I'll openly admit I like a dad nap. But there's a world of difference between having a dad nap in between shots on a shoot. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
The agents like to a deep dive into your life, which can get emotional, how did you find those chats?
Well, I think it was a bit of a meeting of minds because obviously they're very intelligent experts in their field, and in my own way, I'm an expert in my field. I'm quite different from their normal client, I’m far less interested in the appearance side of things and the style of women and more interested in what they do.