BBC presenter Mark Chapman is in a relationship with fellow Match of the Day host Kelly Cates following his split from his partner of three years, Clere Collier, [thesun.co.uk] reported. The broadcasting development brings together two of the main faces of the BBC’s flagship football program.
Mark Chapman Splits From Clere Collier
Estate agent Clere Collier and Mark Chapman ended a three-year relationship that included making plans for a shared future, according to an associate of the former couple cited by The Sun. Dubai-based Clere, a mother of two, regularly traveled to the UK to see Chapman, and the pair were photographed house-hunting together last year. The split occurred out of the blue and without much initial explanation from the presenter.
After remaining in touch following the separation, Clere grew suspicious that Chapman had grown close to Kelly Cates, who began hosting Match of the Day alongside him last year. When confronted with these suspicions, Chapman admitted to the relationship but maintained that he had been a single man when he started spending time with Kelly, insisting there was no overlap between the two women and that he had not cheated. Clere reportedly did not believe the explanation.
The BBC Presenter Lineup And Recent Changes
Mark Chapman is one of the BBC’s highest-paid broadcasters, earning between £335,000 and £340,000 a year. He was announced as a new Match of the Day host alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan last year following a shake-up instigated by director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski. The trio replaced Gary Lineker full-time at the start of the 2025/2026 season after Lineker hosted the BBC’s flagship football show for 26 years.
Kelly Cates is the daughter of Scotland and Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish. She split from her TV producer husband Tom in 2021, with whom she shares two children. Alongside her work on Match of the Day, Chapman and Gabby Logan host The Sports Agents podcast. Speaking previously on the White Wine Question Time podcast, Kelly praised the lack of egos among the presenting team, describing them as a great group at the same stage in their careers.
The decision to replace Lineker with a rotating trio drew criticism from some industry figures. Former presenter Des Lynam argued that viewers prefer consistency and expressed his wish for Kelly Cates to become the sole face of the program.
Mark Chapman expands broadcasting roles after wife dies
Mark Chapman experienced a major personal tragedy in 2020 when his wife of 19 years, Sara, died of cancer at the age of 44. The couple shared three children. Following Sara’s death, Chapman expanded his broadcasting footprint beyond football to cover rugby league, the Olympics, NFL, the Ryder Cup, and The Open golf championships for the BBC, alongside fronting Sky Sports’ Carabao Cup coverage.
Is this a list of questions?
When did Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates begin hosting Match of the Day together?
Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates were announced as permanent hosts alongside Gabby Logan last year, taking over full-time duties at the start of the 2025/2026 season.
What is Kelly Cates’ background in broadcasting and family?
Kelly Cates is a broadcaster and the daughter of Scotland and Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish. She shares two children with her former husband, TV producer Tom, whom she separated from in 2021.
How much does Mark Chapman earn at the BBC?
Mark Chapman is listed among the BBC’s highest-paid broadcasters, with a reported annual salary between £335,000 and £340,000.
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