Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan are probably the most famous married couple on British television, having met while working for Granada Television in 1982.
Now they’ve opened up about the obstacles they faced when first falling in love.
Both were in unhappy marriages – with Judy already a mum to six-year-old twins.
Richard said he knew he wanted to marry Judy after just their third date – but she was apprehensive about their eight-year age gap. She was 34, while he was 26.
Judy was chatting on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast with her husband of 36 years.
(Image: Granada Television)
She revealed: “There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that my boys, who were six, twins, they were my absolute priority and they had to be.
“And as Richard and I got closer, and it was clear that we… you kind of talked about marriage after about three weeks, didn’t you, I remember.
“It was clear things were very, very serious.”
The couple had already seen each other on TV before their first introduction, and she thought he “looked nice” but thought his suit was “a bit flash”, although they instantly hit it off.
(Image: Granada Television)
Judy called off her relationship with Richard after becoming concerned he “wasn’t mature enough”, but they married in 1986.
They were both already married at the time. Richard had married his first wife Lynda Hooley aged just 21. It lasted five years and ended in divorce.
Judy also ended her marriage to journalist David Henshaw after 12 years.
Judy had actually called off her relationship with Richard after becoming concerned he “wasn’t mature enough”, but they married in 1986. And the rest is history.
The couple became TV legends while hosting This Morning for 23 years until 2001, and Richard & Judy for a further eight years. Audiences loved their bickering, eye-rolling and obvious affection for each other.
They also launched their hugely successful Richard & Judy’s Book Club.
Richard now hosts Good Morning Britain, while Judy’ has happily retired from a life in front of the cameras.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
