James Haskell has opened up about his current relationship with ex-wife Chloe Madeley, describing their bond as one of 'good friends' following the 'dark' and 'awful' end to their marriage in 2023. The former rugby union player, 41, and personal trainer, 38, who are parents to four-year-old Bodhi, have worked hard to maintain a positive co-parenting dynamic.
A New Chapter of Friendship
Speaking about their relationship now, Haskell said: 'We’re very transparent with each other. I feel lucky to have that kind of trust and support – it makes everything feel collaborative, and it’s a relationship I truly value.' He credited Madeley with encouraging him to appear on E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating, despite his initial hesitation.
Haskell and Madeley, the daughter of TV personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, announced their separation in a joint statement in October 2023. They had married in 2018. At the time, they declined to reveal the reasons for the split, but Madeley later described the final months of their marriage as 'incredibly scary' and 'one of the worst periods of my life'. Haskell has acknowledged that his drinking habits contributed to the breakdown, stating: 'If I put more time into my marriage than I did Guinness, then I wouldn’t be divorced now.'
Co-Parenting as a Priority
Haskell emphasised their shared commitment to their daughter, saying: 'What we all forget is when you have children and a marriage finishes, it’s all about the kids. Chloe and I are amazing co-parents. Our priority is always Bodhi.' Madeley echoed this sentiment, noting that while divorce is often seen negatively, ending the marriage was ultimately a positive step for her wellbeing.
In an interview with The Sun, Madeley explained her reluctance to discuss the divorce in detail to protect Bodhi from the 'dark and painful experiences' she endured. She said: '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. I’m so proud of myself and so relieved that I actually called it a day.'
The couple’s joint statement, released shortly after their appearance on ITV’s Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair, read: 'Chloe and I mutually decided to separate at the end of September 2023. We had not planned on releasing a statement at this time – certainly not while the television show was airing – but constant speculation about our marriage has, unfortunately, forced our hand. Beyond this statement, we will not be speaking about this matter publicly, and we would request privacy at this time. Our sole focus now is our beautiful daughter. We shall continue to co-parent with nothing but love.'
