James Haskell has opened up about his feelings for ex-wife Chloe Madeley, stating she made him a "better person" and admitting he still holds "love" for her. The former England Rugby player and fitness trainer Chloe, who is the daughter of television personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, tied the knot back in 2018, welcoming their daughter, Bodhi, shortly after. Their marriage came to an end in October 2023, following the filming of their reality television show focused on family life.
Despite their separation, the news has highlighted their commitment to co-parenting, with both parents focusing on the well-being of their daughter. Haskell acknowledged his wife’s influence on his personal growth, praising her talents and the positive changes she brought to his life during their relationship.
On the podcast "Spooning with Mark Wogan," Haskell candidly shared, "Chloe is an amazing woman, extremely talented, she's made me a muchbetter person, being with her, now we're separated. You separateessentially because you want to make sure your daughter has the best possible life," as reported by Wales Online. His statement reflects the love and respect he still has for Chloe, illustrating how their relationship has fundamentally shaped him.
Chloe has been more vocal about the challenges they faced during their marriage, calling the last year together "one of the worst periods of my life." While acknowledging the pain of their split, she also recognized the necessity of pursuing individual happiness apart from each other. Chloe expressed: "I believe our lives are more fruitful separately," highlighting her perspective on their choice to separate.
Haskell emphasized the importance of their daughter's happiness and how both parents need to set aside their personal wishes to focus on her upbringing. He stated, "When you have a child, you have a responsibility and all of your other wishes go out of the window. The ability for us to co-parent and do stuff is so important; Chloe is more vocal because she wears her heart on her sleeve."
Reflecting on the impact of social media and traditional media, James said, "I'm a bit more reserved because I think she's amazing. With social media, nothing dies; when we were younger they would say today's newspaper is tomorrow's dead news, but not anymore." This highlights the complexity of sharing personal lives online as they both navigate their public personas.
Haskell also addressed the future interactions with their daughter, stating he plans to explain the separation when the time is appropriate. He said: "I still love Chloe, you know we love you, and this is what happened." This shows the couple’s intention to maintain open communication with their daughter, ensuring she understands the reasons behind their separation.
Though the reasons behind their split have largely remained private, there is much speculation surrounding the dynamics of their relationship, particularly James’s busy DJ schedule. Rumors intensified after he was seen enjoying social outings with other women, which sparked discussions between the pair.
During their reality show, "Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair," tensions flared when Chloe confronted James about his social media postings during a trip to Ibiza. Photos shared online depicting other women did not sit well with Chloe, who expressed her frustration: "When everyone knows I'm your wife." Such comments bring to light the strain of public scrutiny on their relationship.
Chloe also reflected on James's behavior, mentioning he "thrives in chaos," and suggested both of them had been unhappy together. This candid discussion indicates the struggles they faced, not just with their roles as partners, but also under the pressure of media and public attention.
Both Haskell and Madeley will be appearing on the game show "Pointless Celebrities" which airs tonight, February 1, on BBC One. Joining them are other notable personalities such as Charlene White and Fern Britton, promising to deliver entertainment amid the backdrop of their recent personal turmoil.
Their appearances come as both have been grappling with the fallout from their popular yet tumultuous reality show and recent comments can only heighten public interest. They continue to display commitment to amicable co-parenting and growing as individuals, proving their relationship remains, albeit transformed.