Richard Madeley Drops Bombshell on Why He’s Now Sleeping in a Separate Room from Wife Judy Finnigan

After nearly four decades of marriage, Richard Madeley has shared a surprising detail about his relationship with his wife, Judy Finnigan. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 68, revealed on the White Wine Question Time podcast that he and Judy, 76, sleep in separate bedrooms to accommodate his early morning schedule.

Madeley explained to podcast host Kate Thornton that when he’s working on Good Morning Britain, he chooses to sleep in the spare room to avoid disturbing Judy. “When I’m doing Good Morning Britain I sleep in the spare room,” he said. He added that while he sleeps a bit better with Judy, he respects her need for a good night’s sleep. “I wouldn’t think of doing that to Judy,” he explained, noting, “Apart from anything else, Judy and her sleep—you do not mess with.”

Richard and Judy have been a beloved TV couple since their early days on This Morning, where they co-hosted together for over a decade. Married in 1986, they quickly became one of British television’s most enduring pairs, welcoming their son the same year and their daughter Chloe the following year, told Birmingham Mail.

The conversation also touched on how Judy has embraced life outside the spotlight. Richard shared that she is “really enjoying not doing telly,” a sentiment she previously expressed by stating she would never return to This Morning. Their decision to live quieter lives reflects a strong mutual understanding, even as they manage separate sleeping arrangements.

This isn’t the first time their sleeping situation has made headlines. Last year, Richard revealed that Judy briefly moved to the spare room after a pest issue in their home. Mice invaded their room at night, forcing Judy to relocate temporarily.

Despite sleeping separately, Richard and Judy remain closely bonded, a fact their daughter Chloe, 36, has spoken about. “I grew up watching my parents do everything together,” Chloe shared, adding that it took her a while to realize this level of togetherness isn’t typical. Chloe admitted that her parents’ relationship shaped her own expectations, which she found challenging to manage in her relationship with former partner James Haskell, whose rugby career often came first.

Chloe and James, who share a daughter, ended their relationship amicably last year, with both focusing on co-parenting. Meanwhile, Richard and Judy’s enduring partnership continues to inspire, showing that separate bedrooms haven’t weakened their close bond but instead reflect a shared respect for each other’s needs.