The glittering facade of one of showbusiness's most athletic couples appears to be cracking, as friends of James Haskell and Chloe Madeley reveal significant tensions in their marriage. The source of the strife? The former England rugby star's struggle to adapt to life after professional sport.
According to a close friend who spoke with Richard Eden for his Diary column, the couple are now living largely separate lives. "They are leading increasingly separate lives," the confidant disclosed, painting a picture of a union under strain since Haskell hung up his boots.
A Life Less Ordinary
James Haskell, 38, retired from professional rugby in 2019 after a storied career that included 77 caps for England. The transition from the adrenaline-fuelled world of international sport to the quiet of domestic life has seemingly not been smooth. The friend suggested that Haskell is finding it difficult to settle into a new routine, a common challenge for many elite athletes after retirement.
Chloe Madeley, 36, a fitness expert and television presenter, is the daughter of renowned TV hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. The couple married in a lavish ceremony in 2018 and share a young daughter, born in 2022.
Parties, Podcasts, and Distance
The friend pinpointed Haskell's current lifestyle as a key point of contention. While Chloe is focused on motherhood and her career, James has thrown himself into a new chapter as a DJ and podcast host. His social media is filled with images from boisterous DJ sets and lads' holidays, a world away from the school run and family life.
"It's a classic case of two people growing apart," the insider mused. "Chloe is in one stage of her life, embracing being a mother, while James seems to be enjoying a kind of extended adolescence." This divergence in their daily realities and priorities is reportedly creating a palpable distance between them.
A United Front in Public
Despite the alleged private difficulties, the couple have maintained a united front publicly. They are often seen together at events and regularly share family photos on social media. However, the friend's revelations suggest that behind the curated Instagram posts, the reality is far more complex.
Neither James Haskell nor Chloe Madeley has publicly commented on the state of their marriage. The report leaves fans wondering if this is a temporary rough patch or a sign of a more profound irreconcilable rift, as two famous families, the Haskells and the Madeley-Finnigans, watch on.
