The Chase star splits from second cousin after failed open marriage
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<p><em>The Chase</em> star Mark Labbett affectionately referred to as "The Beast" has shocked fans as he announced his split from his second cousin and wife.</p>
<p>Mark and Katie have confirmed they’ve separated after seven years of marriage, blaming the split on their 27-year-age gap, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12534450/the-chase-mark-labbett-split-wife-katie/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>The Sun</em></a>.</p>
<p>Mark, 55, said: “There was never any deceit on Katie’s part but it’s got to the point now where I realise it is better for us to go our separate ways and remain friendly.”</p>
<p>Katie, 28, has been dating a man named Scott Bate, 30, for 18 months. She said: “I just want everyone to know what’s what and that we are all happy.”</p>
<p>In an exclusive interview with <em>The Sun</em>, Mark and Katie, who have a three-year-old son, opened up about their unusual arrangement.</p>
<p>Mark said: “When Katie first came clean to me about her boyfriend, I’d had an inkling. But right from the start, my attitude was quite pragmatic – this was spilt milk, what could we do about the situation to make it OK?</p>
<p>“We had a family. We couldn’t just throw that away lightly. There were other considerations.</p>
<p>“But COVID-19 provided the perfect storm. My mental health suffered and the differences in our ages became magnified.</p>
<p>“With Katie seeing Scott after lockdown, it’s got to the point where I realise it’s better for us to go our separate ways and remain friendly, without the stress factor of living together.”</p>
<p>However, Mark admits his wife’s ongoing relationship with Scott had taken its toll despite the couple’s initial attempts to have an open marriage.</p>
<p>Mark said: “Our son has mentioned Scott’s name quite a few times. Each time he does it, Katie looks a bit sheepish.</p>
<p>“My only concern is that Scott’s good with him, which he appears to be. We’ve started speaking and are beginning to chat more and more.</p>
<p>“We’ve spoken about some of the bigger things, and Katie knows what my red lines are, and I know hers. So this way, nobody is shocked or surprised.”</p>
<p>He added: “Jealousy is so negative. Nearly every other emotion has some benefit but jealousy just sort of makes you stop functioning.</p>
<p>“I don’t want to get to the stage when someone mentions Scott’s name and my shoulders tense.</p>
<p>“All that matters is what is best for our son.</p>
<p>“I will never ever slag off Katie in public. One day, when our son is grown up, he will be reading this and I don’t ever want him to read anything bad about his mother.”</p>
<p>The pair have had marital troubles previously, as Katie cheated on Mark while he was away filming US and Australian episodes of <em>The Chase</em>.</p>
<p>“I was so unhappy. Mark and I hadn’t been great and he was away working all the time while I looked after our son. I felt so alone," Katie shared.</p>
<p>“My friend came over one night and took me out, introducing me to all these new people who became my social group.</p>
<p>“Because of our ages, they’re not the sort of people Mark could or would want to hang around with.</p>
<p>“I didn’t go out with the purpose of meeting someone. It just ended up that I met someone I clicked with. It went from there.”</p>
<p>The pair initially met in 2010 on Facebook and were married 12 months later. </p>
<p>Mark has confirmed that the pair haven't discussed divorce yet. </p>
<p>“Katie and I haven’t discussed divorce yet. That will only happen if one of us decides we want to remarry.</p>
<p>“At the moment, I’m more than happy to be on my own. I find it easy.</p>
<p>“You can’t speak for the future, but I am conscious I don’t put a target on my back.</p>
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