Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has broken his silence on leaving his wife of 34 years for a woman 31 years his junior, insisting he did not abandon her while she had cancer. Keys, 68, separated from Julia in 2016 and began a relationship with Lucie Rose, who was friends with his daughter Jemma.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Keys denied claims that Julia was suffering from cancer at the time of the divorce. 'I've never sat with anybody and talked about this, but I didn't leave Julia dying of cancer, or suffering with cancer,' he said. 'Sadly, she had cancer in 2008 and '09, and we ran into a genius surgeon who removed it.'
Keys also dismissed suggestions that Lucie was coerced into the relationship, describing her as 'one of the most powerful, strong-minded individuals you'll come across.' He added: 'I never expected my marriage would end after 34 years, but Lucie bowled into my life and, wow, what a force of nature.'
The couple married in 2023 after living apart for a decade while Keys worked in Qatar for beIN SPORTS. They now live together in London. Keys, who is approaching 70, said he would be 'very, very happy' if he and Lucie had a child together.
Keys left Sky Sports in 2011 after making sexist comments about female assistant referee Sian Massey. He admitted the remarks were 'prehistoric banter' that was 'not acceptable in the modern world.'
