James Haskell has revealed that he initially believed his ex-wife Chloe Madeley had a crush on her father, Richard Madeley, due to a misunderstanding early in their relationship. The former rugby player shared the anecdote on the No Parental Guidance podcast, recounting how he was unaware of Chloe’s family ties when they began dating in 2014.
Haskell’s Awkward Realisation
Haskell explained that on their first night together, Chloe took him back to her parents’ house, where he spotted a framed photograph of Richard Madeley 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,” Haskell said.
The retired Wasps player, now 40, recalled returning to bed and asking Chloe directly: “Why have you got a picture of Richard Madeley on the wall?” She responded simply: “He’s my dad.” Haskell admitted feeling embarrassed, saying: “Right, okay.”
Relationship Timeline and Split
Haskell and Chloe Madeley began dating in 2014, married in 2018, and separated in 2023. They share a daughter, Bodhi, born in 2022. In 2024, Chloe described the final year of their marriage as “dark and incredibly scary,” telling OK! Magazine: “The last year of the marriage was awful. It was so dark, painful, and one of the worst periods of my life. It’s a good thing we ended it.”
The couple have emphasised that co-parenting Bodhi remains their “sole focus,” with a joint statement at the time of their split affirming they would proceed “with nothing but love.”
Haskell’s Search for Love
Haskell has since appeared on the reality dating show Celebs Go Dating, where his mother, Susie, offered a blunt assessment of his failed marriage. During a dinner party on the show, Susie said: “I’m not sure where he’s gone wrong because prior to his marriage, I met lots of lovely girlfriends. I do have quite a strong opinion on why I think it went wrong. You can’t have two stars because you have them competing for the floor space the whole time.”
Haskell’s podcast revelation has drawn attention to the early days of his relationship with Chloe, offering a humorous glimpse into a now-infamous misunderstanding. The couple’s split remains a topic of public interest, particularly given the high profiles of both families—Chloe’s parents are renowned TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
