Celeb Grilling - you ask the questions
Monday, 14 January 2008
After 20 amazing years as the king and queen of daytime chat, Richard Madeley, 51, and Judy Finnigan, 59, will be hanging up their mics. When teary Now caught up with them they were giddy about pastures new. Richard even fancies slimming on Strictly! Cheeky Richard was his usual outspoken self (there were a few times when he may have been in for the infamous Judy jab). Treading carefully so as not to cause too much marital strife, Now fires your questions about what they row about, cosmetic surgery and how they keep the passion alive…
What would you say each other’s worst habit is?
Sarah Grant, Leicester
Richard: Judy goes through the papers on the drive to work and destroys them. Every time she turns a page she throws it over her shoulder. By the time we get to the office the car looks as if a homeless person’s been sleeping in it!
Judy: Richard’s incredibly over-tidy. He has a compulsive habit of putting things away. He’ll put away a book even if you’re reading it, then can’t remember where he’s put it.
How would you feel if your kids followed in your footsteps on TV?
Paula Booth, Kidderminster
R: I wouldn’t mind. Chloe and Jack did very well when they presented Big Brother’s Big Mouth. I was really impressed. Sibling rivalry used to be a big issue, but they’ve grown out of it now and work together very well.
Who’s the most romantic?
Jolene Limper, York
R: I think we both are. It was our 21st wedding anniversary a few weeks ago and we went to Florida. When we swapped cards, Judy apologised, saying she thought she’d got the wrong one. It had a nice photo of two people sitting on a pier with the sun going down, but when I opened it, it said: ‘With deepest sympathy’. On that basis, I’m probably more romantic!
Do either of you snore?
Deborah Fincham, Rotherham
R: Judy talks in her sleep. She has long conversations that I can’t quite hear.
J: Richard sometimes snores and I have to kick him!
What ambitions do you still need to fulfil?
Susan Blissex, Farnham
R: We’re doing two more series, then we’ll call it a day at the end of 2008. We still have 100 shows to go, so we haven’t had time to decide what’s next. It’s incredibly exciting – there are a lot of things on the table.
J: I’d like to finish the novel I’ve started writing. I’m really enjoying it.
Which celebrity would you like to give advice to?
Daisy Renshaw, Porthcawl
R: Amy Winehouse. I’d take her under my wing and sort her out. It’s horrible to see a young, attractive, talented woman throwing it all down the toilet. I doubt she’d listen, though.
J: Maybe Britney, who seems to be a spectacular fallout case at present.
Would either of you ever consider plastic surgery and which of you is the most vain?
Gemma Edwards, Manchester
R: I don’t think we would. I think it’s ridiculous when men go to cosmetic surgeons. It implies such vanity and self-regard. People may think I’m vanity personified, but neither of us take ourselves seriously.
J: I’m not vain and I don’t think Richard is. I’ve had a lot of ops and that’s not nice. The idea of putting myself through an unnecessary op to look younger is stupid and risky.
Who do you have a secret crush on?
Yvonne Richard, Dalston
R: I think Keira Knightley is beautiful.
J: Doctor Who, David Tennant.
Would you ever take part in a reality TV show?
Sarah Cleeves, Dundee
R: I might do Strictly. All the others are about being manipulated and I’m a control freak, so I’d hate it. They’ve asked me to do Strictly before. Next time I might say yes.
J: Never. I couldn’t bear it. It sounds silly, given my job, but I’m quite shy and I’d go mad with boredom.
What first attracted you to each other and how do you keep the passion alive?
Lisa Fitzgerald, via email
R: I saw Judy on TV and really fancied her. To my great luck I found myself working with her, but we were both married to other people so there was no question of anything happening. Both marriages were ending and after a year we realised we were falling for each other. I love her personality, her looks and the fact that she’s incredibly feisty. She doesn’t take any bullshit.
J: I fell for him gradually over a year. The physical side of the relationship is important to us, so we make sure that it stays alive. If you really fancy someone, especially after all this time, you’re lucky. We both feel that way.
What do you row about?
Angela Parish, Colchester
R: The kids and the how to handle a situation with them. When you’ve been married as long as we have, you knock the rough edges off each other, so we usually get on smoothly.
J: We avoid rows like the plague because they take up so much energy and make you feel depressed.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Karen Abery, Winchester
R: It used to be smoking until Judy caught me doing it and the universe fell in, so now it’s probably drinking too much white wine in the evening.
J: I love puddings, but I only have them at the weekend.
Have you ever been chatted up by another celebrity?
Tessa Longden, Barnsley
R: No, I’m very famously married.
J: Yes I have, but I can’t name him. We’re going back a long way here. Richard and I are very married and people know that.
Prize Question
Who’s been the most annoying person you’ve ever had to interview?
Rachel Gringe, Kent
Chris Rock! He was an arsehole. He wouldn’t shake hands and as soon as we started the interview he turned his back to us and started talking to Ben Stiller [who was with him] about their plans for that night. I don’t know if he thought he was being funny, but he was unbelievably rude. I wish it had been a live interview because after two minutes I would have said: ‘Look, mate, why don’t you just piss off and go and have a coffee because you’re being a pain in the neck and we’d much rather talk to Ben Stiller.’
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By Karen Dunn
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Racist Raaass!!!
i agree with richard he is a very rde man! i have just watched him and while an interveiw someone mentioned chris rock and he went mad so i just had to find out what happend.
Does it really seem likely that Richard Madeley, real life Alan Partridge could accurately give an assessment of the level of courtesy and decorum from a guest? Richard said if the interview with Chris Rock was live, he would have asked Rock to leave; can you ever imagine Madeley (real life Alan Partridge) standing up to anyone?
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