Former England rugby star James Haskell has broken his silence on the breakdown of his marriage to TV personality Chloe Madeley, revealing that alcohol and emotional strain contributed to their separation.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2018 and share a daughter named Bodhi, announced their split in October 2023 after five years of marriage.
In a candid interview, Haskell, 40, said his relationship with drinking was a factor in the marriage’s end, describing their final year together as “very difficult.”
“If I’d invested more time into my marriage than into Guinness, I probably wouldn’t be divorced right now,” he admitted.
Despite the separation, Haskell emphasised that he maintains respect and affection for Chloe, 37, and their shared focus remains on raising their daughter.
“It’s all about teamwork now. Chloe and I are amazing co-parents,” he said. “Bodhi is and always will be our priority.”
He stressed the importance of putting children first after a marriage ends, saying, “When a relationship finishes and there are kids involved, that’s where your attention has to go.”
Haskell also reflected on the emotional toll of losing his father, Jonathan, earlier this year after a prolonged illness.
He described his father as “an incredible man” and said his work ethic and encouragement left a lasting impression.
“My dad was the rock of our family,” Haskell shared. “His passing has been incredibly emotional and tough.”
He recalled how his father always pushed him to keep working, even when he considered taking time off.
“He never let me slack. He always believed in pushing through,” Haskell added.
As for his current relationship status, Haskell confirmed he’s single after brief flings with advertising exec Helen Barclay and former Big Brother contestant Sara McLean, 35.
He said he’s not actively seeking a new relationship right now, as his focus is “being the best dad possible.”
The former athlete explained that his dating life had attracted media attention, but insisted he’s not in a place to settle down.
In March, he ended things with McLean just days after they were photographed holding hands at Cheltenham races.
A friend of the former rugby player said the pair had a brief falling out shortly after going public with their romance.
“James wasn’t ready to go public,” the source claimed. “They had a few drinks, got cosy, and then got papped—it didn’t go down well.”
The photo allegedly sparked tension between the two, cooling off what was an otherwise promising start.
“They had a disagreement, and right now, it’s fair to say they’re not officially a couple,” the source added.
In January, Haskell had also been linked to Helen Barclay, a mother of two, further fueling public interest in his romantic life.
According to the same source, other women in Haskell’s life weren’t pleased about his very public appearance with Sara.
“He’s had other connections, so the Sara situation caused a stir,” the insider revealed.
They added that Haskell has been navigating a difficult divorce and enjoying single life in London’s social scene.
“He’s just not ready to jump into anything serious at the moment,” the friend said.
Despite their recent fallout, Haskell and McLean are reportedly still in touch and have “great chemistry,” leaving the door open for a possible reconciliation.
“She’s fun, vibrant, and they genuinely get along,” said the source. “They could well be back together by next week.”
McLean has also shared cryptic messages on social media since the Cheltenham outing, hinting at emotional ups and downs.
One Instagram story read: “The energy of the year is: Love me well or leave me alone.”
McLean, who rose to fame in 2012 on Big Brother’s 13th season, has since dated several high-profile personalities.
Her former partners include ex-U.S. soccer star Tim Howard and TOWIE’s Mario Falcone, among others.
Despite the personal turbulence, Haskell remains focused on fatherhood and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship with Chloe.
“Parenting is the most important role I’ll ever have,” he concluded. “That’s where all my energy is now.”
