Inside MOTD favourite Mark Chapman’s relationship with Dubai-based estate agent after tragically losing his wife

MARK CHAPMAN is favourite to replace outgoing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker in the BBC hot-seat.

And the legendary broadcaster has found happiness away from the TV cameras too, finding new love with partner Clere Collier.

Chapman, 51, has been dating Clere since the start of the year with the pair regularly posting loved-up snaps on social media together.

Divorcee Clere is a Dubai-based estate agent who runs an international property empire and splits her time between the UK and the UAE.

Despite the challenge of living on different continents, Clere and Chapman have found ways to see each other.

Chapman jetted out to Dubai for an Easter break earlier in the year.

While mother-of-two Clere is regularly visiting Chapman in Manchester, where the BBC star lives.

For Chapman, it’s his first relationship since the tragic loss of his wife Sara to cancer in 2020.

The pair were married for 19 years and welcomed three children together.

But after battling with the heartbreak and loss of Sara, Chapman has found new love with Clere.

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Clere, who was married to ex-husband James for three years before they split, announced her relationship with Chapman in January of this year.

And the smitten couple have already celebrated milestones together as the property expert took to social media to wish Chapman a happy 51st birthday last month.

She wrote: “Happy birthday to this one. My one love.

“So proud of all you do, the biggest heart, the kindest soul, the leader of our pack and not to mention devilishly handsome. I love you, happy 51.”

Chapman is one of the leading sports broadcasters in the UK and has got to his level through immense amounts of hard work and dedication.

The MOTD 2 host already splits his time between a range of programmes on Radio 5 Live, live coverage of the FA Cup on the BBC, Carabao Cup fixtures on Sky Sports and occasionally NFL broadcasts.

Now Chapman has his eyes on the Match of the Day presenter job after Gary Lineker announced he will be stepping down from the role at the end of the season following 25 years as host.

However, The Sun exclusively revealed Chapman has refused to share the job with another BBC host.

Chapman remains favourite to take the Beeb’s biggest job, but it’s understood that the broadcasters are hoping to split duties between ‘Chappers’ and another lead presenter.

Kelly Somers, who regularly appears on BBC show Final Score, is one of the names touted to share the role.

But other pundits across the football world have claimed that it’s not right to shake up the MOTD coverage, suggesting just one presenter should get the role.

Former Rangers star Ally McCoist said: “I don’t know about a job share…”.

While former Watford striker and SunSport columnist Troy Deeney was quick to agree.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. I feel it’s an iconic show and you’re used to seeing one person.

“I want to go and see one person, whether that be Chappers or that be Kelly. I know both of them, great, great people.

“So whoever you choose to go with, I think trying to job share it is a cop out, in my opinion.

“Make a decision, go with somebody and then we all know that’s where the show’s going, that’s who it is.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk