Richard and Judy
- Profession: Presenters
"His father died when he was young and his father had a problematic relationship with his own father, Richard’s grandfather.
"This is a very truthful book with a lot of pain for Richard but it’s going to be a powerful read."
Richard is father to Jack, 20, and Chloe, 19, and step-father to Judy’s twins, Tom and Dan, from her first marriage.
The Literary R&J – 08/06
Richard and Judy aren’t, let’s face it, at the highest point of cultural society. They do a mean chat show but it ain’t up there with Newsnight. However if you want to get your latest novel on to the bestsellers list Mr & Mrs Madeley-Finnegan are the couple to do it for you. Since launching their Summer Reads segment they have launched several unknown authors on to the scene even catapulting them to literary stardom. At the beginning of this month in fact three of their chosen books, The Island by Victoria Hislop, Dorothy Koomson’s My Best Friend’s Girl and The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne, occupied the top three spots on the bestsellers list.
Judy Finnegan was born and brought up in Manchester and studied English and Drama at Bristol University. She joined Granada as a researcher in 1971 and in 1974 became Anglia Television’s first female reporter. She rejoined Granada in 1980 and worked on a range of programmes including Flying Start, Granada Reports and Scramble.
They began fronting the new Granada programme This Morning together in 1988, their relaxed style and personal chemistry proving a big hit. Originally broadcast from Liverpool, the programme moved to London in 1996.
Judy’s health problems in 1997 led to rumours that their marriage was on the rocks, but she returned to the show after a three-month break. The show went on to celebrate its tenth birthday by winning a National Television Award for Best Daytime Show in 1998.
After so many years presenting This Morning, Richard and Judy have moved on to pastures new and an even fatter pay cheque from channel, This Morning will never be the same. There new afternoon programme starts on Channel 4 at the end of this year.
November 2007