Mark Chapman's ex-partner reportedly alleges overlap with Kelly Cates romance; he denies it
Reports say BBC Match of the Day presenters Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates are dating. Chapman's former partner reportedly claims it began while they were together, which he and people close to him deny.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2Reports say BBC Match of the Day presenters Mark Chapman, 52, and Kelly Cates, 51, have started dating. Daily MailR “have reportedly started dating” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “Chapman, 52, and Cates, 51, were dating.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1Chapman's former partner reportedly accused him of beginning a relationship with Cates while they were still together. Daily MailR “Chapman's former partner reportedly accused him of beginning a relationship with Cates while they were still together.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Right · 2Chapman insists there was no overlap between the relationships and that he remained faithful, and people close to him say he was not dating Cates and his ex-partner at the same time. Daily MailR “he insists there was no overlap between the relationships and that he had remained faithful” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “People close to Chapman have said he was not dating Cates and Collier at the same time.” Read at GB News ↗
Right · 1GB News names the ex-partner as estate agent Clere Collier and says their three-year relationship ended in April, after which Chapman reportedly became close to Cates. GB NewsR “Chapman became close to Cates after his three-year relationship with estate agent Clere Collier ended in April.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1The two presenters have not addressed the rumours. GB NewsR “Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates are yet to address rumours of their romance” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 2The pair share Match of the Day hosting duties with Gabby Logan, having taken over after Gary Lineker left the programme. Daily MailR “alongside Gabby Logan since the start of last season, following Gary Lineker's departure” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “The trio took over the role last year following Gary Lineker's departure” Read at GB News ↗
Right · 1Citing a BBC sport source quoted by The Sun, GB News reports that colleagues were 'flabbergasted' because nobody knew about the relationship, which the source called 'the best-kept secret in sport'. GB NewsR “"Their romance has been the best-kept secret in sport."”“No one appears to have known they were dating.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1GB News also reports that Chapman was seen shopping in Cheshire after the news emerged, and notes the pair's body language on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox in 2025 and this summer. GB NewsR “Chapman was seen out shopping in Cheshire after the news emerged.”“Their contrasting body language between the two appearances has since drawn attention.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 2Accounts of Cates's circumstances differ: the Daily Mail says she recently divorced and is said to have felt 'attractive' again, while GB News says she is believed to have been single since separating from producer Tom Cates in 2021 after 14 years of marriage. Daily MailR “Cates, who recently divorced, is said to have felt 'attractive' again while dating her co-star.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “Cates is believed to have been single since separating from television producer Tom Cates in 2021.” Read at GB News ↗
Right · 2The Daily Mail says the news broke on Sunday, while GB News says it emerged on Tuesday; the Mail's article is mostly advice from experts on workplace romances. Daily MailR “News broke on Sunday of another high-profile romance” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “It emerged on Tuesday that Chapman, 52, and Cates, 51, were dating.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets treat the story as celebrity gossip. The Daily Mail uses it as a hook for an office-romance advice piece, and GB News relays tabloid-sourced insider chatter about the BBC's reaction.
- Emphasis
- The Daily Mail stresses the allegation of overlap and expert tips. GB News stresses secrecy, colleagues' surprise, Chapman's reported pay and his shopping trip, and the body language on Gogglebox.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet quotes the ex-partner directly or gives details of the allegation. Neither has comment from Chapman, Cates or the BBC.
- Charged language
- “flabbergasted”“best-kept secret in sport”“minefields”
- For example
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“Chapman's former partner reportedly accused him of beginning a relationship with Cates while they were still together.” — Daily Mail
“"The chatter in the BBC Sport department since their relationship was revealed has been off the charts,"” — GB News
What every side reports
- Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates co-host BBC's Match of the Day with Gabby Logan.
- They are reported to be dating and have not publicly commented.
- Chapman's earlier relationship ended before the reported romance, and he denies any overlap.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Chapman's relationship with Cates began while he was still with his ex-partner
- Right
- Daily Mail: the ex-partner reportedly accuses him of this, but he insists there was no overlap. GB News: people close to him say he was not dating both women at the same time.
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Cates's marital status
- Right
- Daily Mail: she recently divorced. GB News: she is believed to have been single since separating in 2021.
Mark Chapman person
Reportedly insists there was no overlap between the relationships and that he remained faithful. He has not publicly addressed the romance.
“he insists there was no overlap between the relationships and that he had remained faithful” — Daily Mail
“Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates are yet to address rumours of their romance” — GB News
Kelly Cates person
Has not addressed the reports. She is described as having felt 'attractive' again while dating Chapman.
“Cates, who recently divorced, is said to have felt 'attractive' again while dating her co-star.” — Daily Mail
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Mixed Lifestyle explainer that mentions the allegation and Chapman's denial briefly, then moves to expert advice on dating colleagues.
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GB NewsR ·
BBC colleagues left 'flabbergasted' by Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates romance
Mixed Gossip-led report relaying The Sun's insider quotes on colleagues' surprise, with trivia about Chapman's pay and shopping and the pair's Gogglebox body language.
- 5 Oct 14:52 First Daily MailR As Match of the Day co-hosts Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates 'start dating', all the rules to an office romance... and how to survive a break-up with your job intact
- 6 Oct 08:06 +17h 14m GB NewsR BBC colleagues left 'flabbergasted' by Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates romance
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.