Chloe Madeley has spoken candidly about the turbulent end of her marriage to former rugby union player James Haskell, describing the divorce process as 'incredibly emotional and volatile'.
The Rollercoaster of Separation and Finality
The television personality and fitness expert, 38, and Haskell, 40, separated in October 2023 after five years of marriage and a total of 11 years together. They share a three-year-old daughter, Bodhi. Their divorce was formally finalised just days ago, on 30 December 2025.
Madeley revealed that even though she initiated the split, receiving the official documentation brought unexpected feelings of failure. "It was still like an undiluted slap in the face," she confessed. She admitted it felt "weird" to be so affected and said it would take "a time of grieving" before she could view the divorce as a fresh start.
Implementing Hard Rules for Harmony
To navigate their new relationship as co-parents, Madeley told The Sun she has instituted a 'hard policy' to prevent conflict. "The reason I left the marriage was to avoid big blowout rows," she explained, emphasising that maintaining a civil environment for their daughter is paramount.
She described their current dynamic as inconsistent, with periods of good communication followed by weeks of silence over disagreements. "We have weeks where everything's fine and we get on really well. And then we have weeks where we don't agree on something or someone gets frustrated or angry, and then we don't speak," she said.
Life After the Split: Depression and Moving Forward
The aftermath of the separation took a significant toll on Madeley's mental health. She disclosed that she experienced a period of depression so severe it required medication. However, after two years, she has reached a positive place, stating she is loving life again.
While she firmly stated she "never want[s] to be in a relationship with him again" and is uncertain about future romances, she was full of praise for Haskell as a father. "James is a great father," she said, acknowledging that their co-parenting relationship improved post-divorce.
Madeley, the daughter of TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, also noted that there are always two sides to every story and that Haskell would have his own perspective on events. Representatives for James Haskell were contacted for comment following the interview.
