richard and Judy: the end of an era
As the TV presenter quits showbiz after 43 years, her husband prepares for a brand new chapter without her
‘TV SUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF ME’
Richard and Judy go together like bread and butter; one of those pairs where you simply can’t imagine one component without the other.
But, with Judy Finnigan quitting showbusiness after an impressive 43 years, her husband Richard Madeley is set to face the next chapter alone.
It was her daughter Chloe Madeley who confirmed the sad news that marks the end of an era, saying, ‘My mum is done with TV and if she went back to it I don’t think it would make her happy.
‘She wants to concentrate on other things, such as her health and our family.’
Health battles
Despite a successful TV career with Richard – including fronting This Morning and their own Channel 4 show Richard & Judy – the mum-of-two has had her fair share of ups and downs, so it’s no surprise that she’s taking a step back from the limelight at the age of 70 to focus on her ‘health’.
As well as postnatal depression and ‘irrational anxiety’, in 2010 Judy nearly went blind in one eye. She fought a battle for her sight when she underwent surgery to remove the cataracts that were threatening to destroy her vision.
Months later she tore the ligaments in both her knees.
Although they were TV’S golden couple at the height of their career, Judy never enjoyed being in the spotlight. ‘I never felt secure on television and don’t miss it at all,’ she said. ‘I didn’t like being in the limelight and at times it felt as if I was on a treadmill. TV sucked the life out of me.’
Thankfully, stepping away from the limelight has given Judy ‘time to myself’ and will no doubt allow her to be more involved in her daughter’s upcoming nuptials to James Haskell, after the pair got engaged in April.
While Richard and Judy will no longer exist as the TV duo they once were, their marriage is as strong as ever. And Chloe reassured fans that Richard, 62, will carry on broadcasting without his wife of 32 years. ‘My dad is still in the mix on TV. I love watching him do what he does best and I love listening to him.’ Us too!