ITV’s My Mum, Your Dad: Meet Martin H, the retired professional basketball player

The brand new dating show, My Mum, Your Dad, is capturing the hearts of viewers as it continues to air on ITV. Hosted by Davina McCall, the show follows a group of single parents and their matchmaking children as they embark on a journey to find love. One of the contestants who has caught the audience’s attention is Martin H, a 56-year-old retired professional basketball player, sports presenter, and MD.

Martin H’s Impressive Career

Martin Henlan, hailing from Birmingham and currently residing in Epsom, had a successful career as a professional basketball player. Representing England and Great Britain, Martin played the sport for 15 years before transitioning into the media industry. He became a well-known face in the world of basketball commentary, providing his expertise to sports channels like Sky Sports, Channel 4, the BBC, and Eurosport. In addition to his sports career, Martin is also a member of the board of trustees for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Nominated by His Daughter Jessica

It was Martin’s 23-year-old daughter Jessica who nominated him for the dating show. Jessica herself is actively involved in various fields, including modeling, mental health coaching, and sales/marketing. She believed that her father deserves a second chance at love and wanted to help him find happiness.

A Reluctant Romantic

Opening up about his dating life, Martin admitted to being cautious and self-protective. After experiencing heartbreaks in the past, he finds it challenging to open himself up to new relationships. “I used to fall head over heels in love, skin my knees, dust myself off, get up, have my heart broken and go and try again,” he explained. “Now, I’m very reluctant to share; I don’t find it easy to throw myself into it.”

Martin further elaborated on his dating history, admitting that he hasn’t been very successful in the past. With a sense of humor, he joked about his performance in the dating game, saying, “Using the old-fashioned marking system, I’d have got a C for effort and a D for delivery. I’ve dated. I was a professional sportsperson for 15 years, I studied in the US on a basketball scholarship, so I’ve been exposed to the dating life for a long time, but I’ve never been very good at it. I’m a serial monogamist.”

What Martin H Looks for in a Partner

Martin expressed his desire to find a partner who appreciates him for who he is. He revealed that he is impressed by someone who “smiles and also isn’t noticeably put off by my size.” Despite being a retired basketball player with a larger stature, Martin values a genuine connection and a partner who sees beyond physical appearances.

He also mentioned that his professional life has consumed most of his time, leaving him without much of a social life. Martin is now eager to explore more aspects of life and break free from the friendzone where he has often found himself. “I’m big, I’m fun, I’m outgoing, and I consider myself to be a likeable sort of bloke. I’ve spent 90% of my life in the friendzone… I’m everyone’s best friend,” he shared.

The Romantic Journey Continues

As My Mum, Your Dad unfolds, viewers can expect to witness the ups and downs of Martin’s journey to find love. Will he overcome his reservations and open his heart to a potential match? With his daughter Jessica cheering him on, Martin is determined to find happiness in this unique dating experiment.

Stay tuned to ITV’s My Mum, Your Dad to follow Martin’s progress and witness the heartwarming connections that develop among the other single parents and their matchmaking children.