I was traumatized when The Beast chose his wife over me – says ex Hayley Palmer

From working on her dream body to embracing self-care — and always making it look effortless — Hayley Palmer has made it clear that when it comes to love, she’s all about looking forward.

The TV presenter, who once dated The Chase star Mark Labbett, turned her world upside down when he ended their relationship just a week after they celebrated their one-year anniversary with a casual Beefeater pub meal and a walk on the beach.

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But after the ‘traumatic’ break-up with the 6ft tall quizmaster, who callously ended things during a brutal three-minute phone call, Hayley has put the past firmly behind her.

In an exclusive interview with Fabulous, Hayley, 42, said: “I’m focusing on my self-esteem and working on the body I’ve always wanted.

“It was a terrible breakup, and he was truly beastly. But now I want to become the best version of myself.

“I’m in the gym every day, swimming, doing affirmations, getting my steps in, doing body pumps and lifting weights.

Mark, who has been in The Chase for 15 years, first courted Hayley using his Toby Carvery Gold Card.

But the pair split in May after Hayley claimed he ended their year-long romance because he didn’t want to divorce his ex, Katie.

In a recent interview with The Sun on Sunday, Mark, 59, who is nicknamed The Beast on the ITV quiz show, broke his silence on the split, saying it was simply down to his age: “It’s me, I’m grown old.”

This week, Mark was seen smiling as he posed with his hand on his ex-wife, who he married in 2014 before splitting in 2020.

“He wasn’t honest and I’ve moved on,” says Hayley, who currently reports on Strictly Come Dancing on BBC radio.

‘The great thing now is that I can really talk about it without bursting into tears.

‘I thought he was a kind, gentle man, but I couldn’t believe how much he hurt me.

“It was a week after we had been on Loose Women together. I would never have gone on national television if I knew that was going to happen.

I really think I brought out the best in him because he’s not naturally outgoing, and I am

Hayley Palmer, 42

“I’m a pretty strong person, but it completely crushed me. My world collapsed.

“The whole thing was traumatic and it was a journey to heal from it.

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“But now I know who I am and I’ve learned that I’m not a bad person.”

Hayley, who now calls Chelsea, West London, his home, has no plans to contact Mark again after doing ‘a lot of inner work’.

“I know my self-worth and I don’t think we’ll ever see each other again,” she says. “If I saw him, I would of course be polite, but I wish him the best.

“I didn’t go to the National Television Awards this year, and neither did he, because I couldn’t face him. You know why? Because I’ve built myself up now.

Dating has been fun and it has definitely helped me get my confidence back

Hayley Palmer, 42

‘I really think I brought out the best in him because he’s not naturally outgoing, and I am.

“Of course he also has his qualities. He is incredibly intelligent and I have learned a lot from him.”

After months of emotional turmoil and mental health issues, Hayley has recovered from heartbreak and even found new romance.

“There is someone who makes me happy,” she says. “I can say so much, but I will reveal more in due course.

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“It’s hard for me to say at the moment, and I’ve been linked to a few people.

“Dating was fun and it definitely helped me get my confidence back.”

While Hayley is keeping the details of her new romance under wraps, the most important thing for her now is that 2025 looks bright.

“I try not to be such a people pleaser,” she says. “If you don’t like it, it won’t work because I do things at my pace. I don’t rush anything.

Mark Labbett and Hayley Palmer’s relationship timeline

May 16, 2023 – The pair went on their first date to a Toby Carvery in Southsea, Portsmouth.

December 24, 2023 – The couple decided to record a podcast together after dating for several months. They planned to discuss everything from Mark wooing Hayley with his Toby Carvery card to dating in the public eye, shopping trips, their big rule of not sharing chips and hilarious inside jokes.

May 25, 2024 – Mark broke up with Hayley over the phone, saying he wasn’t ready to finalize his divorce from ex-wife Katie.

‘I do what is best for me, instead of what is best for the other person.

“After everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned that I have to be selfish and focus on loving myself the most.

“I learned so much from 2024, but I’m definitely ready for 2025.”

‘Saturday evening with Hayley Palmerair Saturday 9pm Freeview Channelbox 271