Chloe Madeley has given a raw and honest account of her 2023 separation from former rugby international James Haskell, describing the final year of their marriage as 'dark and toxic'. The 38-year-old influencer, who shares three-year-old daughter Bodhi with Haskell, 40, admitted she felt a profound sense of relief after ending their five-year union.
The Pain of a 'Toxic' Marriage and Finding Relief
In a revealing new interview, Madeley challenged the common perception of divorce being the hardest part. 'They say: "[Divorce] is going to be so hard for you". And, yes, it is, but the hardest bit was when we were married,' she explained. '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.'
She expressed pride in her resilience, stating she was 'amazed' she got through it. 'I think more people should see it as a positive thing. I’m so proud of myself and so relieved that I actually called it a day,' Madeley added, reflecting on her decision to initiate the split.
Shielding Family and Embracing a 'Happy Uncoupling'
The daughter of TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan revealed she deliberately protected her young daughter and her famous parents from the most distressing details of the breakdown. Despite usually confiding in her parents, she kept the 'dark and painful' elements to herself.
She praised her parents, who have been married for nearly four decades, as her 'emotional cheerleaders'. While she acknowledged they possess an 'old-school mentality about the family unit', she convinced them the separation was for the best. 'I said to them: "Trust me, I’ll be happier doing this than if I stay",' she recalled. Her father, Richard, has since framed the situation positively, describing it as a 'very happy uncoupling' and reassuring Chloe she can handle life as a single mother.
Prioritising Respectful Co-Parenting
Despite the personal turmoil, both Madeley and Haskell are committed to a constructive co-parenting relationship for Bodhi's sake. Madeley shared that they aim to be 'respectful, calm and mature'. This sentiment was echoed by Haskell in a separate recent appearance, where he called Chloe an 'amazing mum' and a 'brilliant' woman.
Haskell, who has been back on the dating scene, admitted on This Morning that co-parenting has its challenges. 'We're able to co-parent in a way, sometimes is good, sometimes is bad... But we do it constructively for our daughter,' he said. He also cautioned that social media often presents a curated image, noting, 'You never post about the bad stuff.'
For now, Chloe Madeley is focused on her daughter and her own wellbeing. While she expressed a desire to be in a relationship in the future, she confirmed there is currently nobody special in her life, marking a new chapter of independence following a profoundly difficult period.
