James Haskell, the former rugby player, has shared an anecdote about the moment he discovered his ex-wife Chloe Madeley's father was the well-known television presenter Richard Madeley. Haskell recounted the unexpected revelation during an appearance on the "No Parental Guidance" podcast.
Haskell explained that during an early date with Madeley, he was taken back to her parents' home. It was there that he noticed a picture of Richard Madeley on the wall. At the time, Haskell admitted he misinterpreted the presence of the photo, humorously recalling that he thought Chloe "fancied" her father and was "into kinky s***."
"I love Richard and Judy, they're great, they were always really nice to me," Haskell said. "I didn't know Chloe was their daughter until I went on a date with her and it was the first night we spent together."
He continued, "She took me back to her parents' house and I remember there was a picture of Richard on the wall. I thought Chloe's into a bit of kinky s***, I was like I don't look anything like that guy, he's tall, dark and handsome and I was like this isn't going to last."
Visibly embarrassed by the memory, Haskell added, "So I got back into bed and I was like, 'Why have you got a picture of Richard Madeley on the wall?' and she was like, 'He's my dad' and I was like, 'Right, OK'."
Chloe Madeley and James Haskell married in 2018 and welcomed their daughter, Bodhi, in 2022. The couple announced their separation in 2023.
Speaking previously on "This Morning," Haskell described Madeley as an "amazing mum" and "an amazing woman," noting her talent and intelligence. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing their child during their separation, stating that "egos don't matter" in such situations.
Haskell also touched upon the challenges of co-parenting in the public eye, acknowledging that while their co-parenting dynamic can fluctuate, they strive to do it constructively for their daughter. He mentioned receiving messages from other men on social media seeking advice on navigating separation, while also cautioning that social media can sometimes present a misleading image of reality.
Chloe Madeley had previously described their breakup as "the worst imaginable." However, she also shared on the "No Parental Guidance" podcast that despite the initial trauma and toxicity, she and Haskell have managed to establish a new bond and friendship, co-parenting respectfully. She cited the desire to shield their daughter from parental arguments as a significant reason for leaving the marriage.