James Haskell confides in rugby pal Mike Tindall over Chloe Madeley break-up

02 November 2023 , 10:48

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James Haskell confides in rugby pal Mike Tindall over Chloe Madeley break-up

James Haskell has been confiding in his rugby pal, Mike Tindall, after splitting up from wife Chloe Madeley.

Chloe, 36, and James, 38, announced they decided to go their separate ways last week after welcoming their daughter, Bodhi, into the world in August 2022. James told fans the couple decided to separate "mutually" at the end of September and has now opened up about his relationship to Zara Tindall's husband, Mike.

Addressing the split in the pals' podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby on Wednesday, James said: “So for those of you who don’t know, my missus and I are separated. We’re separated but we’re committed 100 per cent to my daughter. It’s obviously a complicated time and we have to play it out in front of the media. Because I haven't said anything, people fill that void and fill that silence. And obviously this week, in the last sort of three or four weeks, there's been lots of conjecture.”

James Haskell has been confiding in his rugby pal, Mike Tindall, after splitting up from wife Chloe Madeley (Instagram)

James got tongues wagging when he was papped with high society PR Martine Bridge outside celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse in October. Speaking about the photos to MailOnline, a source said: "James and Martine have known each other for years and mingle in the same social groups. They follow each other on Instagram, it seems likely they will stay connected, at least on social media."

James referenced his split with Chloe several times in his podcast with Mike - who joined his friend for a boozy lunch in Paris for the rugby World Cup - while joking about the drinking habits of one of their ex-teammates. In one skit, he teased: “Rum and milk? Is he a prostitute from 1835? I think Jack the Ripper killed someone with a gin and milk. Sweeney Todd cuts up his heroin… good references, educated, public school, don’t worry. Quadruple threat. I’m gonna need it now I’m single. I’m joking. Not really though.”

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The father-of-one also told his friend he and Chloe "don't really argue", but then said he needed a lawyer mate for "business" following the split. Alluding to tough times ahead, he admitted: “We’ve had some court battles, have some court battles to come with a few other bits and things.”

Chloe and James in happier times, announcing they were expecting their first child together (madeleychloe/Instagram)

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, James confirmed the couple had called it quits, taking to Instagram, saying: "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."

Alongside the statement, James insisted: "Chloe's happiness and security" is among his top priorities, concluding: "It's with a lot of sadness I write this post, but unfortunately, in the world we live in, it has to be done. My priority is my daughter's and Chloe's happiness and security. For that reason, I won't be commenting any further."

Victoria Johns