James Haskell has openly reflected on his past actions during his marriage to Chloe Madeley, expressing some regrets about how he managed their relationship. The former rugby international married Chloe, daughter of renowned television presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, in 2018. However, the couple separated five years later.
Despite a difficult breakup, which Chloe once described as “the worst breakup imaginable,” the pair have since established a friendly co-parenting arrangement for their three-year-old daughter, Bodhi. Achieving this amicable relationship was not without its challenges, as Chloe has shared.
Speaking on the Nolans Uncensored podcast, 41-year-old James pondered aspects of their marriage that he now views with regret. He said, “In my relationship, did she marry a rugby player who was essentially away 11 months a year, often without weekends and without the ability to plan? Yes. Did she think that when I retired I would be around all the time? But I was always a workaholic. So that was always going to be quite tricky.”
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James, who has transitioned from sports to a career as a DJ, also admitted that he was absent more often than he should have been following the birth of their daughter. “I made 12 trips to Ibiza in one year,” he revealed. “And should I have done all of them? No. Should I have been around more?”
He reflected further on relationships in general, saying, “We can all look back on past relationships and think, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have done that’ or ‘We should have noticed that and talked about it’. That was only one element of it.”
Since his marriage ended, James had a brief relationship with Big Brother star Sara McLean, which reportedly ended just two days after becoming public. He also appeared on the show Celebs Go Dating, going on several dates during the series but ultimately leaving without finding a lasting connection.
When a follower recently asked Chloe on Instagram about her feelings witnessing James kiss other women on the show, she responded that she had no concerns, provided he was happy. Regarding rumours about his participation, she commented, “If true he’ll be a highly entertaining watch, I know that much.”
Chloe, who remains single, also revealed last year that she could not imagine starting a new romantic relationship. Replying to a fan, she wrote, “To me, the word ‘date’ suggests that you’re actively trying to find someone to settle down with. So, in that regard, no, I don’t date. But I’m not living in a self-imposed convent either [laughing face emoji]. I just don’t have any intention of finding a boyfriend. I honestly cannot think of anything worse.”
She has also talked about her surprise at having developed a friendship with James, especially given their “toxic” marriage and the difficult breakup they endured.
“We can all look back on past relationships and think, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have done that’ or ‘We should have noticed that and talked about it’. That was only one element of it.”
The couple continue to focus on supporting their daughter together while maintaining goodwill despite their past challenges.