James Haskell has shared the story of how he “surprised” Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan after parting ways with their daughter, Chloe Madeley. The couple, who married in 2018, announced their separation in 2023 without revealing the reasons behind their decision.
Chloe described the months leading up to their split as “incredibly scary,” while James openly admitted in the past that he might have avoided divorce had he invested more time in their marriage instead of his Guinness commitments.
During an appearance on the No Parental Guidance podcast, James revealed how he maintained a positive relationship with Chloe’s parents despite the separation. Emphasizing their ongoing significance, he assured them they remain “massively important grandparents” to their child, Bodhi.
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Growing up an admirer of Richard and Judy’s work, James praised them as “TV royalty” and recalled how welcomes from them were always warm and genuine. He acknowledged the unique dynamic, noting that the Madeley family is quite academic and not particularly into sports, which made his relationship with them somewhat unexpected.
“I think it’s always hard when someone like me knocks on your door and comes in,” James explained. “When you’re quite academic and not massive sports fans, and someone like me comes to ‘take your daughter out,’ you probably think I won’t have much to say. So, I think they were quietly surprised by who I was.”
After the split, James approached Richard and Judy to reaffirm their role in Bodhi’s life. He expressed no ill will, emphasizing respect and goodwill: “I have no issues with you guys. I will never go into the details of our breakdown because it’s not relevant to anyone. I will never slag your daughter off. I will always support you and come see you. My separation is not with you guys.”
Reflecting further at London’s Pub in the Park festival, James acknowledged that sometimes relationships simply don’t work out. He expressed his enduring love for Chloe and their daughter, emphasizing their strong co-parenting bond.
“It’s teamwork,” he said. “When you have children and a marriage finishes, it’s all about the kids. Chloe and I are amazing co-parents. Our priority is always Bodhi.”