The Chase viewers were left cringing tonight as Mark Labbett, aka The Beast, gushed about his "lovely wife" in incredibly badly-timed scenes.
ITV quiz champion Mark, 53, announced earlier this month that The Chase star Mark Labbett SPLITS from wife Katie after five year marriage after it emerged that she had been sleeping with someone else.
The couple, who have one son and are second cousins, decided to go their separate ways after images emerged showing Katie on a date with metal worker Scott Bate, 28, last week.
Katie’s affair hit the headlines in April after she was spotted enjoying a number of romantic breaks with her new man.
The Chase star Mark Labbett SPLITS from wife Katie after five year marriage
This evening, while speaking to contestant Leon, Mark said that his "lovely wife" had bought him a book on fashion tips.
And viewers were quick to pick up on the incredibly awkward comment.
One tweeted: "The Beast said, "My lovely wife..." Awkward much? #TheChase."
While another joked: "Bet he doesn’t still call her his lovely wife #thechase."
A third remarked: "Bit awkward the Beast mentioning his wife when they've just split because she cheated on him."
"Great timing to show this episode. Lovely wife. #TheChase," another quipped.
*The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV
