Jamie Redknapp's 2013 comments about why his marriage to Louise Redknapp worked have resurfaced, four years before the couple's marriage broke down. The former footballer, now 53, married singer Louise, now 52, in 1998, three years after they were introduced by Robbie Williams.
The couple had two sons, Charley, 22, and Beau, 17, and were considered one of showbiz's most successful couples. However, Louise began to question her marriage when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. She filed for divorce in March the following year, citing Jamie's "unreasonable behaviour". A judge at the Central Family Court in London formally initiated their legal separation in a hearing that lasted just 25 seconds in December 2017.
Jamie's 2013 comments on marriage
Three years before Louise appeared on Strictly, Jamie spoke about the reasons behind his happy marriage and why it had lasted so long. The conversation came as he discussed his parents' lengthy marriage.
Former footballer and manager Harry Redknapp, 79, and his wife Sandra have been married since 1967. While Jamie agreed that his parents' marriage is incredible, he was realistic about why it works.
"It's inspiring but you can only do it if it works. You don't say, 'oh my mum and dad have been together ages so we will stay together'," he told The Mirror in 2013.
What kept the romance healthy
The Sky Sports pundit suggested that their busy schedules kept their romance healthy.
"We are very lucky," he said. "What works for both of us is that Louise works hard at what she does, she has got a lot of interests. I have a job at Sky that I love doing. If Louise was to stay home and didn't have any interests or any job then I think it would be difficult."
Jamie added: "The fact that she needs something to wake up and aspire to do and it's the same for me. So we don't get under each other's feet and I think that's why it works so well."
Louise's regret after the divorce
In 2021, Louise opened up about their divorce, admitting she regretted how things transpired.
"I should have paused for a minute and thought about other people, and had just a bit more time to work out why I felt I couldn't do it anymore," she told You Magazine. "All I know is, I wish I'd tried [to save the marriage]."
The breakdown of their marriage came as Louise struggled with her identity, having put her career on hold to raise a family. However, the Eternal singer said she shouldn't have blamed her marriage for her unhappiness at the time, after comparing herself to a "Stepford Wife".
