How Mark Chapman overcame heartbreaking tragedy as telly favourite is named official Match of the Day host
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MARK Chapman overcame heartbreaking tragedy before he was named as host of Match of the Day. It was confirmed today Chapman, 51, will share presenting duties with Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan next season. Gary Lineker is stepping down as host of the Saturday night show at the end of the season.
![[Headshot of Mark Chapman.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/09-11-2022-mark-chapman-963920796.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Chapman has been broadcasting for more than 25 years and presents BBC's Match Of The Day 2 covering the action and reaction from the Premier League. He said: "I know the history of a lot of radio programmes and TV programmes and I do feel honoured to be following in the footsteps of the people that we are following in and respectful of what they have done.".
![[Photo of Mark Chapman and his wife Sara.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/386125530153881600-match-day-2-host-587959676.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But the BBC Sport presenter sadly lost his wife Sara in 2020. They married in 2001 and had three children together. Mark is a very private person but previously said of his family: "I know my family are very proud of me but I don't look at what I do as being anything particularly special.
![[a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes is smiling for the camera .]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/twitter-com-clerecollier-clere-louise-881897183.jpg?strip=all&w=738)
"I've got a great job and it's so much fun but I don't go in for any of that celebrity-nonsense. "I'd much prefer a pint at The Railway any day.". Sara passed away on June 3, 2020, after battling cancer. A source told The Sun: "Sadly Sara passed away on June 3. Mark and the kids are absolutely devastated.
![[a man wearing glasses and a suit stands in front of a red wall]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/gary-lineker-arrives-suns-cares-948578437.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"The family was there and it's just a really sad situation.". Yet Chapman found new love with partner Clere Collier. He has been dating Clere since the start of last 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.
