Richard Madeley Reveals Emotional Battle and Shocking Health Risks After Smoking Addiction

Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley has opened up about the long-term health effects of his 20-year smoking habit, admitting that his cancer risk remains elevated even decades after quitting.

The 68-year-old broadcaster revealed that his smoking addiction persisted despite losing his father to a smoking-related illness at just 49. Madeley was only 21 at the time of his father’s death. Reflecting on his journey to quit, Madeley shared a poignant moment that changed everything for him, reported by Lancs Live.

“I finally managed to stop aged 40, after interviewing John Diamond, Nigella Lawson’s first husband, who was dying (horribly) from smoking-induced throat cancer,” Madeley wrote in his Daily Express column. “I was so shaken by the encounter I never touched a cigarette again.”

Despite quitting decades ago, Madeley acknowledged the lasting effects of his smoking history. “Even so, I’ve been left with a permanently impaired respiratory system and my cancer risk will never return completely to normal,” he admitted.

In his column, Madeley expressed admiration for the drug varenicline, which is soon to be available on the NHS to help people quit smoking. The pill reduces nicotine cravings and blocks its effects on the brain. NHS officials have praised it as a “game-changer” in smoking cessation.

“If you’d offered me varenicline when I was 21, I would have bitten your arm off,” Madeley said, reflecting on how difficult it was to quit smoking unaided during his younger years.

Public opinion on varenicline remains divided. A survey by the Mirror revealed that 33 percent of individuals would prefer to quit smoking without medication. However, NHS Chief Amanda Pritchard emphasized the drug’s potential impact. “This simple daily pill could be a game-changer for people who want to quit smoking and is another vital step in shifting our NHS further towards prevention,” she said.

Smoking remains one of the NHS’s biggest challenges, with 408,700 hospital admissions in 2023 attributed to smoking-related illnesses—a 5% increase from the previous year. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that the new pill could save the NHS millions while freeing up appointment slots.

Madeley’s candid reflections serve as a stark reminder of smoking’s devastating impact on health. His story, alongside new medical advances like varenicline, underscores the urgency of tackling smoking to prevent long-term harm.