A morning to remember
It is 20 years since TV favourites Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan said their goodbyes to This Morning
THEY were one of the UK’s most famous presenting duos but Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan hosted their final edition of This Morning 20 years ago.
The real-life couple were the original hosts of the ITV stalwart when it launched in 1988 from the Granada studio at Liverpool’s Albert Dock and it quickly became a favourite with daytime viewers.
Richard and Judy interviewed ever one from politicians to acting and sporting celebrities and Zoe Ball even once presented the weather from their floating map of Great Britain in the docks.
But the husband-and-wife team called it a day 20 years ago this month when they hosted their final show of This Morning after 13 years on the famous studio sofas.
They won the trophy for best daytime show at the National Television Awards many times over for their popular daily offerings of chat and interviews, but the 2000 ceremony is probably best remembered for Judy’s wardrobe malfunction when her bra was revealed as she accepted the award.
The pair renewed their wedding vows a year before they left their screen home at ITV and they later signed a two-year deal with Channel 4 to present their own chat show called Richard & Judy.
They have made several appearances on This Morning since leaving and still run heir Richard and Judy Book Club, which was launched on the breakfast programme.
Richard, who has recently been presenting Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid, recently said Judy now enjoys being away from the TV spotlight.
He said: “Despite her talent as a presenter, she was the most reluctant presenter you’d ever meet. She hated the fame, she hated being recognised. She enjoyed the job but when it was over, she wanted to just go home and be Judy.”