Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley were spotted enjoying a rare public outing on Friday, looking happier than ever as they strolled arm-in-arm after a swanky lunch at Simpsonâs in the Strand, London. The beloved TV duo, who will celebrate 40 years of marriage this November, seemed full of laughter and affection, proving their bond remains as strong as ever.
Judy, 78, looked effortlessly stylish in a pink blazer layered over a matching blouse and dark trousers, accessorised with a pale pink handbag and statement gold necklace. Richard, 70, complemented her in a smart navy suit with a crisp white shirt and burnt orange tie, exuding his trademark charm.
The pair, who famously hosted This Morning together for 13 years from its launch in 1988 until 2001, first met at ITV Granada in the 1980s under unusual circumstances. At the time, Judy was married to journalist David Henshaw and Richard was separating from his first wife. Judy recalled in a 2024 documentary: âI remember you coming into the newsroom on your first day, you were wearing a ridiculous sky blue suit⊠you just looked like a pr*.â*
Richard added: âI suddenly felt two hands on the back of my neck and I heard this voice saying, âIâm your mummy.â And I turned around and it was this beautiful blonde⊠it seemed an off thing to say, so I was like âwhat??â So yeah, she was my assigned mummy.â
Their first kiss came later that day during a long drive back to Manchester in a black cab after filming promos in Blackpool. Judy reflected: âWe really hit it off⊠and kissed in the darkness of the cab.â
The couple, parents to Chloe, 38, and Jack, 40, as well as Judyâs twin sons Tom and Dan from her first marriage, have endured the ups and downs of married life with humour and commitment. Chloe told Closer magazine in 2024: âThey would honestly say the same thing â the secret to them having such a long marriage is to not get divorced⊠Theyâve been together for over 40 years and there have been periods when they struggled, but they kept going and stayed together.â

Chloe praised her parents for setting a âpretty gold standardâ for marriage, noting she felt fortunate to have witnessed such a lasting partnership, even as her own marriage ended in 2023.
Judy and Richardâs affectionate outing is a heartwarming reminder that decades of love, humour, and resilience can truly stand the test of time.




