Richard Madeley has admitted that he knew ‘instinctively’ when he needed ‘space’ from wife Judy Finnigan during lockdown.
The presenter, 64, and his co-host, 72, have been married for 35 years after tying the knot in 1986 and have two children – Chloe, 33, and Jack, 35.
Talking about their lockdown experience together, Richard admitted that he knew the ‘warning signs’ when he needed ‘space’ from Judy and vice versa.
Candid: Richard Madeley has admitted that he knew ‘instinctively’ when he needed ‘space’ from wife Judy Finnigan during lockdown (pictured in 2019)
Speaking to Metro, the television personality said: ‘We’ve been married a long time so without actually saying, “Oh, you’re getting on my nerves, I need space,” we almost know instinctively.
‘You start to see the warning signs. I think that’s probably true of a lot of older married couples.’
Elsewhere during the chat, Richard teased a future project with Judy which could potentially see the duo working together again on TV.
He said: ‘We were having a conversation only yesterday about a project that might involve the two of us working together again. It wouldn’t be daily television like This Morning or The Richard And Judy Show, it would be something a bit gentler.’
Relationship: The presenter, 64, and his co-host, 72, have been married for 35 years after tying the knot in 1986 and have two children – Chloe, 33, and Jack, 35 (pictured in 2020)
Richard and Judy departed This Morning in 2001, ahead of becoming hosts of their eponymous evening talk show, Richard & Judy, on Channel 4.
They would remain on the show for seven years, and have since made a number of guest hosting appearances on shows, including various returns to the ITV chathsow.
Last year, Richard revealed that reading is what kept him and his wife Judy from getting ‘snappy’ during the coronavirus lockdown.
The couple made a surprise return to TV screens to host their new book show, Keep Reading and Carry on, in May 2020
‘Warning signs’: Talking about their lockdown experience together, Richard admitted that he knew the ‘warning signs’ when he needed ‘space’ from Judy and vice versa (pictured in 2019)
The couple have established themselves as credible critics with book fans thanks to their longstanding book club.
When asked by the Mirror why reading plays an important role in the marriage, Richard said the timeout it provides stops them getting ‘snappy’ with one another.
He shared: ‘In all marriages, things can occasionally get tense, and you can get a bit snappy with each other, especially if you’re together 24/7.’
However, the broadcaster shared that they work so well together because they’re so comfortable with each other.
It comes after Richard revealed that he would be open to filling Piers Morgan‘s recently vacated seat on Good Morning Britain, in what would mark a big return to daytime TV.
Way back when: Richard and Judy departed This Morning in 2001, ahead of becoming hosts of their eponymous evening talk show, Richard & Judy, on Channel 4 (pictured in 1989)
Piers, 56, famously stormed off the ITV show last month, as he pushed back against criticism of his stance on Meghan Markle‘s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
And Richard – who hosted sister show This Morning from its 1988 inception until 2001, alongside his wife Judy – has admitted that he’d be ‘bonkers’ to turn down the chance to return to the daytime favourite.
He told Metro: ‘If the phone went and they said, ‘Would you come in and talk?’ of course I would talk to them. It would be bonkers not to. But I very much like sitting in for people. I have all the fun and very little of the responsibility or flak.’
And while Piers is regularly seen going toe-to-toe with trolls on Twitter, Richard insists he ‘doesn’t give a f**k’ about what they’d say about him should he leave himself open to criticism by sharing his views on the show.
Role: It comes after Richard revealed that he would be open to filling Piers Morgan’s, pictured in September, recently vacated seat on Good Morning Britain , in what would mark a big return to daytime TV
He said of the possibility of facing trolls: ‘I personally couldn’t give a f**k. Far too many younger presenters have been affected by Twitter and cowed by it.
‘I remember when I started sitting in for Piers on Good Morning Britain, I’d have a look at Twitter after I’d done a programme and, yes, you get some nice comments but you also get horrendous abuse and, from time to time, death threats.’
However, the star told Metro that he has been far from daunted by those death threats, as they’re largely ‘coming from sad losers who’ve got nothing better to do’.
Last month, Piers announced he had quit GMB after Alex Beresford, 40, challenged his comments about the Duchess of Sussex, 37, and her interview with Oprah, 67.
The outspoken GMB host left the daytime show after he insisted he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of Meghan’s account of suffering suicidal thoughts and experiencing racism at the hands of the royal family.
Piers then walked off set after a fierce debate with Alex, in which the weather presenter accused Piers of unfairly ‘trashing’ Meghan, and branded him ‘diabolical’.
Piers, who refused to apologise, later announced his resignation and tweeted his thanks to the GMB team, praising them for their ‘hard work and dedication’ that led to them beating their main breakfast TV rival.
Since Piers’ exit from the show he has received messages from several stars, naming Jeremy Clarkson and Bear Grylls, who have said he had a ‘right’ to say his mind.
Sharon Osbourne also voiced her support for Piers during an appearance on The Talk, though she has since parted ways with the CBS show.
Following Piers’ departure, a number of stars have stepped in to co-host the show alongside Susanna Reid, including Adil Ray, Alex Beresford, and Ben Shephard.
Special guest: Richard co-hosted Good Morning Britain alongside Kate Garraway back in 2019