Meet The Glums: Sad Judy Finnigan
By the look on her face, it’s not shaping up as the happiest festive season for Judy Finnigan
Christmas is a time for family, so it’s no surprise that our favourite TV host-come-best-selling-author was looking down in the dumps when she was spotted out recently.
In fact, even a stroll around Hampstead Heath with hubby Richard Madeley near their favourite pub wasn’t enough to put a smile on her face!
And there may be a very good reason. For, despite being a mum-of-four, Judy, 69, looks set to be ‘ lonely this Christmas’, as the song goes, as none of her brood is set to make it home for the big day.
Judy’s twins, Tom and Dan, 40, from her previous marriage, as well as younger siblings Jack, 31, and 30-yearold Chloe, have all reportedly chosen to celebrate elsewhere.
Judy revealed, ‘Richard and I will be Billy No-Mates on the big day this year.
‘One of my daughters-inlaw is expecting a baby in early January, and the usual Christmas pilgrimage from Manchester to London is not a good idea.
‘Another of my sons is taking off on a long-delayed honeymoon to Mexico. As for the other two, my daughter’s boyfriend is whisking her off on a surprise romantic break, while my youngest son is going to be backpacking in Thailand with his girl.’
Maternal Judy has spoken before about suffering from ‘empty nest syndrome’. This year, she may be feeling it more than ever, as she said she and Richard, 61, would be feeling like ‘a John Lewis ad: two lonely snow persons left out in the cold’.
Richard has opened up before about how much fun Christmas is now that they’re grandparents, especially the present-opening.
‘Ivy is my stepson Tom’s little girl, and she’s a scream. Each Christmas, she gets funnier and funnier. It’s great to re-do all the stuff you did with your own kids.’
But, while the kids won’t be around, at least Richard and Judy have each other to spend the day with. And the couple, who have been married for 31 years, have traditions that they follow every year.
‘ We don’t normally have croissants for breakfast, but we do on Christmas morning,’ Richard revealed.
‘ Watching the Queen’s Speech is a tradition in our house. The Queen has been part of my consciousness for as long as I’ve been alive. Some of my earliest Christmas TV memories are of watching the Queen’s Speech. I have a glass of port while I watch.’
Cheer up, Judy – sounds like you’re set for a lovely day, kids or no kids!
‘We’ll be Billy No-Mates on the big day this year… two lonely snow persons left out in the cold’