FOOTBALL fans have been left surprised after discovering that Mark Chapman IS NOT the Match of the Day presenter’s real name.
The popular BBC Sport anchor has been a familiar face on our screens for years, known for his calm authority and no-nonsense delivery – but many never knew his real first name isn’t actually Mark.
PAChapman began his career in 1996 as a continuity announcer on BBC Television[/caption]
GettyHe is a Manchester United football fan[/caption]
PAHe replaced Colin Murray as host of the Match of the Day 2[/caption]
It turns out the broadcaster’s real first name is ANDREW.
In fact, Mark is his middle name.
But he has chosen to go by Mark Chapman throughout his career on Match of the Day, Final Score and Radio 5 Live.
His given first name is actually Andrew, something that’s only now being realised by many fans online.
The revelation has sparked a wave of light-hearted reactions on social media, after fans stumbled across his full name on various public records and professional profiles.
One fan asked on X: “Hold on… his name’s Andrew? Since when??”
Another joked: “I’ve been calling this man Mark for years. Turns out we’ve been on a nickname basis the whole time.”
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A third added: “Andrew Mark Chapman sounds like someone who reads the news. Mark Chapman hosts football.”
It’s not unusual for public figures to use their middle names professionally, and Chapman is far from the only one.
But the revelation has still taken some by surprise, especially given his long-standing presence on British television and radio.
Chapman, 51, began his broadcasting career on BBC Radio 1 as a sports newsreader before moving into mainstream football coverage, eventually replacing Colin Murray as the main Match of the Day 2 host in 2013.
Known for his sharp insight, dry humour and cool-headed style, he’s become one of the BBC’s most trusted presenters — so much so that fans often refer to him simply as “Chappers”.
And despite the surprise over his real first name, it doesn’t look like viewers will be switching to “Andrew” any time soon.
Chapman is leading a trio to replace Lineker Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
