Are Mr & Mrs Crackers rowing back?
She targeted him in THAT explosive interview after his Boat Race win, then he hit back... now she posts message hinting it may not all be over for them
‘James is a truly remarkable man’
BEVERLEY Turner didn’t mince her words earlier this week when she claimed James Cracknell’s ‘absolute dereliction of parenting and marital duty’ contributed to their break-up.
The TV presenter, 45, sparked a national debate with her explosive account of the collapse of her 18-year marriage to the 46year-old Olympian.
She criticised Cracknell for making an ‘enormous family sacrifice’ to return to study at Cambridge University and become the oldest athlete to compete in the Boat Race.
In a cutting response the next day, Cracknell said the break-up had been ‘a long time coming’ and had nothing to do with his Boat Race ambitions – or the catastrophic brain injury he suffered in 2010 that affected his personality.
Yesterday, however, relations between the two seemed to be thawing.
Miss Turner insisted she is still friendly with Cracknell, posting a picture of them on Instagram – a picture which he also posted on Instagram while saying they were ‘still mates’.
In an accompanying comment, Miss Turner called Cracknell a ‘truly remarkable man’.
She said they were ‘ proof that “no fault divorce” is much needed’, despite appearing to blame his single-mindedness for the demise of their marriage only days before.
Miss Turner wrote: ‘Life with James wasn’t “hell”. It was exciting and often challenging. But, look! Here we are, as I said in my feature, being friends at home. This wouldn’t be happening if he was an a***. We are proof that “no fault divorce” is much needed.
‘Sometimes life deals couples a s***** hand and sadly plan A goes out of the window... As it did for us last year. James is a truly remarkable man. And we have three cracking kids to show for our almost 19 years together. We are both happily moving forward and I’m off out on the lash while he stays at home with the kids. Happy weekend all!’
Her comments are a U-turn on what she said about Cracknell after Sunday’s Boat Race in which Cracknell became the oldest winner in the event’s 190-year history.
Miss Turner had accused him of neglecting his role as a father and husband to pursue his dream. While Cracknell was praised for his efforts in the Boat Race, Miss Turner said she didn’t see it as something she wants their children, Croyde, 15, Kiki, ten, and Trixie, eight, to aspire to. ‘The kids needed to see that this enormous family sacrifice wasn’t entirely in vain,’ she wrote. ‘James has spoken publicly about this latest feat, demonstrating to his children that you can do anything you set your mind to. He won’t mind me admitting I consider that b******s. I wouldn’t want my children to view such an Above: The picture Miss Turner and Cracknell posted yesterday. Left: Cracknell after his Boat Race victory on Sunday exit from familial responsibilities off to Cambridge, selfishly, but as something to aspire to.’ that’s a little exaggerated. And
Miss Turner said that doctors while yes it may seem selfish, it had warned her Cracknell’s brain also pays the bills.’ damage following a crash with a Yesterday, however, Cracknell lorry as he rode his bicycle in 2010 wrote on Instagram: ‘Sunday was might affect his personality. an amazing day & the rest of the
‘They made it sound as if I would week has seen a lot of speculation be married to a drunk teenager. about why our 19-year relationship They were right. I had my silent ended last year. screams in the shower so the children ‘I knew Bev was writing the piece wouldn’t hear,’ she wrote. that appeared on Monday. I married
‘A formerly quiet man, he an annoyingly forthright & couldn’t stop talking, but certainly opinionated woman & I have never stopped listening.’ wanted to oppress that in her.’
A day later, Cracknell told the Next to the picture of them Daily Telegraph: ‘The separation together, he added: ‘As you can has been a long time coming. But see we are still mates and her brutal it wasn’t going to university or honesty has always helped me competing in the Boat Race that but never more so than when I ended the marriage. was getting back to full mental
‘And it wasn’t even the accident, and physical health. although our marriage was dealt a ‘Sunday showed I’m there physically bad hand with that. As anybody & I’ve gotta hit the books to who is married or has been married show my faculty that I’m there will know, break-ups are far mentally. I’ll support Bev 100%. more complex than anybody else She’s heading out with mates really knows. There’s this perception tonight & I’m home with the kids! that I’ve left my family to go Back to reality.’