Tearful Hayley Palmer, 42, says she’s having counselling for ‘betrayal trauma’ after having ‘flashbacks’ following her split from The Chase’s Mark Labbett, 59, – as she reveals the one painful thing he did after the split

TV presenter Hayley Palmer has admitted she’s having counselling for ‘betrayal trauma’ after splitting from The Chase star Mark Labbett, aka The Beast. 

The star, 42, told the My Dirty Laundry podcast she is having ‘nightmares and flashbacks’ weeks after Mark, 59, broke up with her in a three-minute phone call, leaving her blindsided.

Hayley said that despite Mark assuring her he was getting a divorce from his wife Katie, 32, who he split from in 2020 and has a son with, he admitted he had changed his mind. 

Hayley said: The way he did it, his voice still haunts me to this day. I’m having counselling because someone told me, “What you’ve had is betrayal trauma”. 

‘They said, ‘Have you been having flashbacks and nightmares and anxiety?’ I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s what I get’. It’s just the shock to your body of it completely coming out of the blue.’

Hayley said despite Mark assuring her he was getting a divorce from his wife Katie, 32, who he split from in 2020 and has a son with – he admitted he had changed his mind days after they celebrated their one-year anniversary, (pictured)

Hayley said her relationship with Mark had been the happiest of her life – they had just celebrated their one year anniversary – but his final words to her were ‘chilling.’

She said: ‘He called me and said, “How are you? Are you on GB News this Saturday?” I was like, “Yeah, I’m booked to go on, can’t wait”… I was telling him everything. 

‘And then he said, “Right, this is not gonna be easy to tell you, but you were right. I don’t want to get a divorce”.’

Hayley said she just put down the phone and was so shocked she couldn’t feel her body and had a full blown panic attack. 

She immediately blocked Mark on all channels and hasn’t spoken to him since.

Unlike other relationships she had been in, she felt there had been no warning signs and the shock of it has left her suffering from a low sense of self-worth.  

She said: ‘I wish we could have just sat down and just said, “Look, this is the situation. Can we make it work? Okay, let’s stick together. Let’s put a statement out together”‘.

‘Because it all happened and I felt completely alone. I felt really scared. I am a positive person but I couldn’t get out of bed because I felt so low.

Hayley said: The way he did [broke up with me], his voice still haunts me to this day. I’m having counselling because someone told me, “What you’ve had is betrayal trauma”‘ 

‘I thought counselling would be a weak thing to do, and it would be embarrassing. But it really helps me to know that others have gone through the same thing. 

‘And that I’m not alone and OK to have nightmares, it’s what happens.

‘This was real love and I poured all my love into him. I put him on a pedestal – but now I’ve got to pour that love into myself instead.’ 

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Mark Labbett for comment. 

Despite remembering the relationship fondly, Hayley said she was really disappointed that Mark shared a post about feeling great very soon after they split. 

The quizmaster posted a photo to social media capturing himself rocking his slimmed-down physique while eating soup – which he has since deleted. 

The English-born star then revealed he was on a health kick following his breakup, writing: ‘Gym. Nutrition. Feels good to be The Beast.’

Hayley remarked: ‘That really hurt me. I’m not gonna lie. Everyone was sending it to me. 

‘I was just about trying to get myself to the gym. Even just like that was a big step just to get back. I was trying to get my head in gear…

‘And yeah, that hit hard. I thought it was really insensitive and I don’t think he thought it through. I am his biggest cheerleader when it comes to his healthy eating, but that really did not sit well.’

However, Hayley said that despite what happened she has nothing but fond memories of her time with Mark and wants to help others in the same position.

She said: ‘I don’t have anything bad to say about him personally. He wasn’t The Beast. He was like a kind, lovely gentleman to me, which makes it worse kind of. It’s just such a shame.

‘I’ve been working so hard on myself, but every morning now I’m psyching myself up, doing my mindset work to be able to cope. 

Despite remembering the relationship fondly, Hayley said she was really disappointed that Mark shared a now deleted post about feeling great very soon after they split saying: ‘that hit hard. I thought it was really insensitive’ (pictured: the post in question)

Mark split from his wife Katie in 2020 following seven years of marriage (pictured in 2018) and while there is nothing to suggest he has been unfaithful, Hayley feels betrayed that he had assured her – and her parents – he was seeking a divorce but has changed his mind

‘I still have times where I just walk back into my flat and burst into tears. I miss him so much. but it gets easier each day and I’m getting stronger each day. 

‘I’m so lucky I’ve got so many lovely people around me, honestly. They’ve got me through it and I want to help people in the same position as me.’

Hayley also said there is no chance she and Mark will get back together despite how much she loves him.

She said: ‘I’ve always seen the good in people.

‘But equally, I don’t give second chances. So as soon as I heard those words from him, I would never forgive that because I’ve always been strong.’ 

And as for dating other people, Hayley said she’s had some handsome men sliding into her DMs so when she feels ready… ‘watch this space.’

She added: ‘I still have hope that there is someone out there for me. Maybe I’m deluded, but I do.’ 

To listen to the full interview, visit: the My Dirty Laundry podcast.