British comedian couple Shaparak Khorsandi and Mark Steel have split after previously getting back together and claiming they were 'together for good'.
British comedian and author, 53, revealed she had been trying her luck on dating apps after becoming single, but has already given up on online love.
Sharing an update, she wrote: 'I have come off the site because I really didn't like who I was on it. I never thought I would hate someone for wanting 'travel tips for Japan''
Shaparak, who performed professionally under the name Shappi Khorsandi, included the hashtags #midlifedating, #onlinedatingfail and #datingapps.
However, fans had been under the impression she had been dating Mark, and asked her: 'I thought you were already in a relationship, Shappi……'
Another person questioned:'I thought you were with Mark Steel?'
British comedian couple Shaparak Khorsandi and Mark Steel have split after previously getting back together and claiming they were 'together for good'
British comedian and author, 53, revealed she had been trying her luck on dating apps after becoming single, but has already given up on online love
Sharing an update, she wrote: 'I have come off the site because I really didn't like who I was on it. I never thought I would hate someone for wanting 'travel tips for Japan'
Their split may come as a surprise as Mark declared last year that they had finally cracked the secret to staying together following their on-off relationship.
Speaking to The Guardian in February 2025, Mark said: 'We were no good not being together,' before insisting things were going 'great' between them.
He added: 'It's lovely. You can never say with these things, but… I think it's permanent now.'
Mark, who battled throat cancer in 2023, revealed he had reunited with Shaparak in 2024 after briefly dating another comedian, Caroline 'Cally' Beaton.
He enjoyed a blossoming romance with Cally, who was comforting him as he fought his illness and he called her his 'partner'.
But it was later reported that his merry-go-round love life had taken another turn as he 'blissfully' reunited with Shapparak.
Shapparak said at the time: 'I love Mark with all my heart, and we are very much together.'
She explained: 'Mark and I are blissed-out and rebuilding. It's so important to both of us to be in the moment. I adore him. He was my loved one on and off for many years, but now we're fixing it.'
However, fans had been under the impression she had been dating Mark, and asked her: 'I thought you were already in a relationship, Shappi……'
Steel, 63, who declared he was cancer-free in May, was reunited with Shappi, 51, over the summer
Mark, who battled throat cancer in 2023, revealed he had reunited with Shaparak in 2024 after briefly dating another comedian, Caroline 'Cally' Beaton
It was understood that the then couple had reunited in the summer.
During his illness, Steel, who is a regular on BBC television and radio programmes, made references to his relationship with Cally.
He said: 'To add to the jeopardy, I was in the exciting early, slightly hesitant, stages of a new relationship that seemed extremely promising. So one evening I had to say, 'By the way I might have cancer'.
'There are countless books, websites and forums in which detailed advice is given on how to act, what to look out for and what to say in these first months of a potentially lifelong partnership. I doubt if any of them say, 'Why not liven up a romantic evening by mentioning that you may have cancer?'
Mark – who was adopted, then discovered his real father was Joe Dwek, a multi-millionaire Wall Street trader and friend of the royals – later paid tribute to Cally's care by saying: 'My partner has been extraordinary.'
Cally, who has two children, performs live stand-up comedy, motivational speaking, and has made several television appearances including Live at the Apollo and runs a podcast, Cally Beaton Namaste Motherf***ers.