BBC pundit Chris Sutton joked suggestively about his colleagues Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates on stay radio, amid studies that the Match of the Day co-hosts are courting.
Cates, 51, and Chapman, 52, have been stars of the BBC present’s three-person presenter panel alongside Gabby Logan because the begin of final season following Gary Lineker’s departure.
The pair have grow to be public figures on our TV screens over current years – however have grown shut in personal, with studies rising on Sunday that the BBC stars have been courting.
Chapman additionally serves because the common host of BBC Radio 5Live’s Monday Evening Membership, which generally wraps up the weekend’s soccer.
He was absent for the present on Monday night time and Cates – an occasional stand-in host – additionally didn’t characteristic.
Chapman’s absence prompted common visitor Sutton to poke enjoyable on the expense of the duo in the beginning of the present, after being launched by stand-in presenter Alistair Bruce-Ball.
Match of the Day co-hosts Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates are reportedly courting one another
Cates and Chapman have been on the three-person presenter panel since Gary Lineker’s exit
Chris Sutton questioned the absence of host Chapman on the Monday Evening Membership stay on radio amid the studies. Pictured: Sutton and Chapman on the present in 2025
‘Chris Sutton has bought a slightly mischievous look on his face this night, which worries me barely,’ Bruce-Ball stated.
Sutton responded: ‘I simply questioned the place our chief is that this night, the place’s Mark?’ with Bruce-Ball replying: ‘Mark Chapman… Not right here this night.’
‘So then usually second in cost is Kelly Cates… the place’s Kelly Cates this night?’ Sutton questioned.
Bruce-Ball replied: ‘I do not know Chris, in any other case engaged I believe. If they don’t seem to be listening to the present, no matter they’re as much as, it’s obtainable to pay attention by the podcast, if that’s what they wish to do.’
Cates was as a substitute internet hosting the Legends of Soccer awards, which noticed Thierry Henry and Karen Carney honoured on the night time.
Chapman break up with property agent Clere Collier earlier this yr, who accused him of beginning the connection with Cates whereas they have been nonetheless collectively, an allegation he denies.
Chapman and Cates turned the primary co-presenters for Match of the Day alongside Gabby Logan final season after Gary Lineker left.
Whereas their shifts presenting the present don’t overlap, Chapman and Cates did seem on Celeb Gogglebox on the identical couch collectively in July.
Chapman, a extremely revered broadcaster paid between £335,000 and £340,000 a yr by the BBC, was already closely concerned with the present as Match of the Day 2 presenter earlier than his promotion.
Cates was internet hosting the Legends of Soccer awards, which honoured Thierry Henry and Karen Carney
Clere Collier accused Chapman of beginning the connection with Cates whereas they have been collectively, which he denies
He was married to his spouse Sara, the mom of their three youngsters, for 19 years till she died aged 44 in 2020 after a battle with most cancers.
It was revealed in 2024 that he had began courting once more after getting into a relationship with property agent and socialite Collier.
They gave the impression to be in an excellent place, with Collier, who is predicated in Dubai, recurrently making journeys over to the UK to go to Chapman – they usually have been even pictured strolling hand-in-hand via the streets of Altrincham collectively.
She shared a number of gushing social media tributes in direction of Chapman, together with one which labelled him as her ‘one love’ and ‘devilishly good-looking’ after he turned 51, earlier than they break up in April this yr.
In the meantime, Cates, daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, was married to TV producer Tom Cates from 2007 till their divorce in 2021.
The pair have two youngsters collectively and lived in Chiswick in south-west London.
