As Match of the Day co-hosts Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates 'start dating', all the rules to an office romance... and how to survive a break-up with your job intact

Spending hours a day with colleagues means workplace romances are perhaps inevitable - but more often than not, they can end in tension, tears and awkward office encounters.We've seen it play out in both the celebrity and corporate worlds, such as the marriage, and later divorce, between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who met on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith.Then there's the infamous 2025 'kiss cam' incident that ultimately saw Astronomer CEO Andy Byron resign after he was caught cosying up to the company's CPO, Kristin Cabot, at a Coldplay concert.But while plenty of workplace romances have ended badly, others have gone the distance, including one of Hollywood's most enduring couples, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who started dating after featuring in the 1984 romance Swing Shift.News broke on Sunday of another high-profile romance, after it emerged that BBC Match of the Day co-hosts Kelly Cates, 51, and Mark Chapman, 52, have reportedly grown close. The pair have been part of the BBC show's presenting line-up alongside Gabby Logan since the start of last season, following Gary Lineker's departure. Cates, who recently divorced, is said to have felt 'attractive' again while dating her co-star.Chapman's former partner reportedly accused him of beginning a relationship with Cates while they were still together. However, he insists there was no overlap between the relationships and that he had remained faithful.But the accusations around the latest romance is a reminder that even the most promising office relationships can come with their own minefields. So, what are the unspoken rules for dating a colleague - without risking your relationship or your job? Below, a set of experts share their top tips with The Daily Mail... News broke on Sunday of another high-profile romance, after it emerged that BBC Match of the Day co-hosts Kelly Cates, 51, and Mark Chapman (pictured next to one another), 52, have reportedly started datingDO: Know your company's policy Workplace romances are common, but it's crucial you understand your employer’s rules and pay attention to reporting a relationship before things get serious. Phil Macleod, psychologist and founder of Thought Reader, said: 'Lots of people meet their partners at work, it's a natural thing, but if you find yourself in that situation, know the company policy.''Failing to understand the company policy can get your relationship and role in a stressful situation before it's even formed.'You should pay particular attention to the power dynamics if either of you asset power over the other in a business and reporting structure this should be understood and disclosed.' DON’T: Overshare with colleaguesWhen it comes to your office romance, less is more, according to Phil. He said: 'Creating boundaries at the outset is key, and the first is to ensure that you protect your relationship at work.'Being secretive will just draw attention to you if it comes out, whilst oversharing is also an issue as it can cause conflict with colleagues and your new partner. Sometimes it's a direct and obvious issue, other times it manifests as just embarrassing or seemingly un-professional. 'So less is more, be protective about your relationship and the things you have done in and out of work together.' DO: Keep the relationship professional at work However exciting a new relationship is, it's important to try not to let it take over the working day. Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald, psychotherapist and founder of Female Focused Therapy, added: 'It sounds terribly unromantic, but have the conversation. Are you keeping it private? Will you arrive together? How will you handle disagreements? 'Agreeing boundaries early stops the relationship spilling into every corner of your working life.'Phil added: 'Try not to cross the line by acting like lovebirds at work. Keep things professional and others will respect you more for it. You can still enjoy being together, but there is a time and a place for showing affection.' DON'T: Have your rows at workBoth experts stress to leave arguments at home rather than bringing them into the office. Ignoring each other, sending angry messages or involving colleagues will only make things worse - and leave everyone feeling caught in the middle. Cheryl warned: 'No icy silences, passive-aggressive emails or dramatic exits from meetings. 'If you argued at home, deal with it at home. Your colleagues should not have to work around the emotional weather of your relationship.'DO: Keep something that is just yoursAccording to Cheryl, retaining your individuality and having your own space is also key to surviving an office relationship. She said: 'Don’t become one of those couples who suddenly operates as a single workplace unit. 'Keep your own friendships, projects and professional identity. You want colleagues to continue seeing you as you, not simply as somebody’s boyfriend or girlfriend.'Phil added: 'You could be spending all of your time together and you don’t want to bring work home with you - that is not a healthy balance. Give yourselves a chance to switch off from work and just be a couple again.' DON'T: Give anyone a reason to shout 'favouritism'According to Cheryl, resentment can build 'very quickly' between a couple if a power imbalance surfaces.She said: 'Even if nothing inappropriate is happening, perception matters. 'If one partner is constantly getting the best shifts, projects or opportunities, resentment can build very quickly. If there is a power imbalance, transparency is essential.' As for directly competing with one another, Phil added: 'Success is measured differently by us all. Remember that and celebrate the other person rather than compete, especially as you are usually not in direct competing roles. According to Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald (pictured), psychotherapist and founder of Female Focused Therapy, resentment can build 'very quickly' between a couple if a power imbalance surfacesDO: Separate work with home lifeWhen you work together, it is easy for office conversations to follow you home. This must be avoided much of the the time in order to keep work and home life separate. Phil noted: 'It can be very easy to keep talking about what happened at work or what needs to happen tomorrow. 'Try to consciously switch off. Your mind needs a break from work and your relationship needs time where you are simply a couple, not colleagues.'DON'T: Bring jealousy into the office According to Phil, reacting to assumptions can damage both your relationship and career. He warned: 'It is very easy to start overthinking things and creating scenarios in your head that might not even be true, and that can affect your mental wellbeing. If you feel yourself doing this, slow down your breathing and take a moment before reacting.'Ask yourself what you actually know to be true rather than what your mind is telling you might be true, or indeed what others are saying.'You could inadvertently be jeopardising your position not just in work but in your relationship if you let jealousy take over.'When there are things you want to talk about take it outside the office in your own time. This give you the space and freedom to communicate openly and honestly with each other.' DO: Ask yourself the uncomfortable questionCould you still sit opposite this person in a meeting if they dumped you? Nobody wants to imagine the end at the beginning, but this is the reality of dating a colleague.Phil said: 'As you were colleagues first and foremost, it is very important to openly communicate with one another about what things would look like if you split up and both stayed working together.'This is real life and we know not many things last forever. It's best to do this in the very early days of the relationship, also, if things do break down, it's a simple conversation to have at the end; we did say that if things didn't work out we would...'Uncertainty can often create more anxiety than the reality itself, so having that conversation can help you both feel more in control.'DON'T: Turn a break-up into an office referendumIf things end, avoid badmouthing your ex or sharing private details with colleagues - and don't make mutual friends feel they have to pick a side. Cheryl said: 'This is probably the most important one. If it ends, resist the urge to recruit colleagues to your side. 'Don’t gossip about your ex, reveal private details or make mutual colleagues feel they have to choose between you. Heartbreak is hard enough without turning the workplace into a battlefield.'