Richard Madeley has confessed that he was not prepared for his first marriage, describing it as “ridiculous” and “very unfair” to his ex-wife. During an episode of Matt Willis’s podcast, “On The Mend,” Richard, who has been married to Judy Finnigan for nearly four decades, revealed his thoughts on the failure of his initial marriage.
Richard and Judy first met in 1982 while working together at Granada alongside Tony Wilson. At the time, both were married – Richard to Lynda Hooley and Judy to David Henshaw. Richard married Lynda at the young age of 21, but their relationship only lasted five years before ending in divorce. Reflecting on this period, Richard admitted that he was too young and overly optimistic at the time.
In a candid conversation with Matt, Richard acknowledged that both he and Judy had previous failed marriages. He took responsibility for the demise of his first marriage, attributing it to his immaturity and optimism at the time. He expressed regret over not being ready for marriage and the impact it had on his first wife.
Richard emphasized that he and Judy had learned from their past experiences. He admitted that he should not have rushed into marriage at such a young age, recognizing that timing played a crucial role in the success of a relationship. Comparing his first marriage to his relationship with Judy, he highlighted the importance of maturity and taking things at the right pace.
The couple eventually tied the knot in 1986 and went on to have two children together, Chloe and Jack, as well as five grandchildren. Additionally, Judy has twin sons, Dan and Tom, from her previous marriage. Their enduring marriage serves as a testament to the lessons learned from past mistakes and the importance of readiness and maturity in relationships.