All the signs that Chloe Madeley and James Haskell’s marriage was on the rocks, from mystery blondes to missing wedding rings and thinly veiled social media messages

After weeks of growing speculation, news of Chloe Madeley and James Haskell‘s separation was hardly unexpected – at least not to anyone fully engaged with the unfolding developments that preceded its confirmation. 

The state of their five-year marriage has been under scrutiny for weeks, prompting the former couple to issue a short statement across social media on Saturday, October 28. 

The separation, understood to be amicable, will no doubt leave producers of their poorly-timed fly-on-the-wall reality show in a bemused state – and potentially draws an indefinite line under any chance of it returning for a second series. 

In Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair, the couple gave ITV cameras behind-the-scenes access to their personal lives and day-to-day activity as a functioning family unit following the birth of daughter Bodhi – their only child – now 14-months old. 

But fans will be watching for an altogether different reason following their split, despite signs of growing tension in the marriage making it increasingly apparent that all is not well over recent weeks. 

But where did it all go wrong? Read on for all the tell-tale signs of a marriage in crisis. 

All over: After weeks of growing speculation, news of Chloe Madeley and James Haskell ‘s separation was hardly unexpected

1.  THE MYSTERY BLONDE

It might seem like a lifetime ago given everything that’s followed, but James Haskell’s night out with an attractive blonde actually took place on October 13. 

Haskell was pictured looking friendly with his female companion following a late night at popular Marylebone venue Chiltern Firehouse. 

At first glance, anyone spotting the former rugby player face-to-face with a blonde-headed female on a crowded pavement at 1:30am could be forgiven it was latest in a long line of public appearances with his wife. 

But the woman in question was actually high society public relations beauty Martine Bridge, a hitherto unknown close friend who works for PR firm Bridging London.

A source told MailOnline: ‘The woman in the photos with James is Martine Bridge.

Previously: It might seem like a lifetime ago given everything that’s followed, but James Haskell’s night out with attractive blonde Martine Bridge took place on October 13

Here we go: The following day Chloe was seen without her wedding ring and looking decidedly glum during what should’ve been a fun night out with a handful of girlfriends 

‘She’s a hugely successful businesswoman, running her own PR firm, with plenty of celebrity and high society connections. She’s wealthy and certainly at the top of her game.

‘James and Martine have known each other for years and socialise in the same circles.

‘They follow each other on Instagram, it seems likely they will stay connected, at least on social media.’

A spokesperson for James has denied any wrongdoing, with a representative for him saying Martine is a friend of his group, after Chloe was seen without her wedding ring just hours after the photographs emerged.

They said: ‘The woman pictured is a friend of James’s group who he just met that night. They were simply having a conversation outside so there is nothing to this.’

Unexpected: Madeley’s wedding finger was missing an all important accessory during her night out in London 

Absent: Days later Haskell was in Paris, without his wedding ring, as he prepared to watch the rugby World Cup with a group of pals

2. THE MISSING RINGS

Innocent or not, Chloe Madeley’s subsequent appearance in London clearly hinted at trouble in paradise. 

The TV personality was seen without her wedding ring and looking decidedly glum during what should’ve been a fun night out with a handful of girlfriends. 

Madeley started her night at The Nest at Treehouse bar with six friends before moving to Soho House and later heading home just before 3:00am on Saturday, October 14 – 24 hours after Haskell’s night out with Bridge.

Days later Haskell was in Paris, without his wife, as he prepared to watch the rugby World Cup with a group of pals. 

But it was his own missing ring that caught the eye as he posed for selfies and downed drinks in a series of boozy snaps shared with his Instagram followers. 

After watching England, Haskell returned to domestic duties in the United Kingdom – and was once again spotted without his wedding ring during a day out with his infant daughter. 

Meanwhile Chloe continued to overlook her own ring while out in public with dad Richard. 

The plot thickens… 

Recurring theme: After watching England, Haskell returned to domestic duties in the United Kingdom – and was once again spotted without his wedding ring during a day out with his infant daughter

Going solo: Meanwhile Chloe continued to overlook her own ring while out in public 

3. CRYPTIC SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

Following Madeley’s first public appearance without her wedding ring, Haskell posted what could best be described as a veiled social media message about a ‘lonely life’

Taking to Instagram the morning after her night out, he shared a video of himself behind the decks in a crowded nightclub, with the accompanying caption:: ‘Live a lonely life!’ 

The message was a line from Ace of Base song All That She Wants, with the famous vocal heard in a loop as the video played out. 

It didn’t take long for Madeley to share her own cryptic post, with the TV personality shared a now deleted dictionary definition on October 17, which read: Staid (adj.) sedate, serious, self-restrained. (The staid butler never changed his expression no matter what happened.)’

On October 24 she returned with another message about ‘keeping it real’ in which she thanked social media followers for praising her new show. 

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: ‘Thank you all so much for your BEYOND lovely messages about the show! I love that so many of you are saying you find it funny and relatable.

‘The goal was to keep it 100% real, which is scary, so to have so many mums and couples saying this is exactly what they like about it is a huge relief, comfort and joy. Thank you so much.’

Read between the lines: Following Madeley’s first public appearance without her wedding ring, Haskell posted what could best be described as a veiled social media message about a ‘lonely life’ 

Opening the floodgates: It didn’t take long for Madeley to share her own cryptic post, with the TV personality shared a now deleted dictionary definition on October 17

Another swipe: On October 24 she returned with another message about ‘keeping it real’ in which she thanked social media followers for praising her new show

4. HASKELL’S ADMISSION 

In interview footage exclusively obtained by MailOnline on October 16, Haskell claimed he used to see women as ‘sex objects’ and had to unlearn a lot of his old beliefs after growing up at a ‘sexist’ boarding school.

Speaking to Unfiltered, the former rugby player touched on his relationship with women, which he says has changed over the years after previously ‘objectifying’ them while spending years in a male dominated environment.

Explaining how he has changed his ways, Haskell said: ‘I went to an all boys prep school, all boys boarding school and was around 25 men every year for 19 and a half seasons. 

‘I didn’t go to university. Would you say I was probably the most broad minded person in that respect? No, I think there’s a reason why sexism is probably as bad as it is because of all boys boarding schools.’

‘Truthfully, I think what other exposures do you have to women other than as sex objects? You may have female teachers and a strong mother, but otherwise how you’re not exposed to in any other way, shape, or form.’

Opening up: In interview footage exclusively obtained by MailOnline on October 16, Haskell claimed he used to see women as ‘sex objects

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oANmMPRQMQI%3Frel%3D0%26start%3D627

Let’s talk: Speaking to Unfiltered , the former rugby player touched on his relationship with women, which he says has changed over the years

Revealing he would never put his daughter through the same thing, he added: ‘So there’s always going to be objectification. So I would never send my daughter to a same-sex school ever.’

When he was asked if he regrets the school he attended and the environment he was exposed to, Haskell admitted that he wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

He replied: ‘No, because it gave me the opportunity and because it was a school that perfect played up to someone like me at ADHD who just did everything and it gave me confidence and opportunities and stuff. 

‘It’s fine. But you asked me about my view on women, have I had to learn and unwind a lot of things? Yeah, of course. As long as you keep learning. I think that’s why I find it so stupid with all these people going back trying to correct history, trying to go history’s history for a reason. 

‘As long as you learn from it today, you’re not doing the same thing. You can’t go back and go again. It’s contextual to me.’

Haskell went on to admit he believes men are currently ‘lost’ because they are now discouraged from being ‘strong and chivalrous’.

Candid: He said he previously ‘objectified’ them while spending years in a male dominated environment

He said: ‘That’s why people like Tate have come out of nowhere because men are lost. Men are being told you can’t be men. What you can’t be strong can’t be chivalrous. We don’t want people to open our doors for us. I don’t want this. I don’t want that. What? You can’t be a rough man. 

‘You can’t be physical. I think it’s nonsense. It’s b*****ks. The world was built on men being men and is sexism alive and real? Yes. Is the downfall of society down to the patriarchy? No. Are there lots of things that go unchecked? Yes. 

‘Could we be better? Yes. But is being a strong man a problem? No, I think it’s absolutely not. I think being prepared to be angry when you need to be angry, being chivalrous when you need to be chival, its being loving when you need to be loving.

‘Not taking any s***, being successful, being hardworking, being a hunter gatherer is absolutely fine.’

REALITY TV ROWS

The writing appeared to be on the wall long before Haskell’s night out with Bridge when it became evident the pair were at loggerheads while filming scenes for their new TV show. 

On October 6, weeks before the couple confirmed their separation, Madeley admitted she and Haskell had their ‘biggest ever row’ as they shot one particular episode.

The catalyst, she said, was the emergence of social media photos capturing her husband behind the decks in Ibiza with a troupe of scantily-clad female dancers, while she remained in the United Kingdom with their daughter.

She told The Sun:  ‘One of the biggest row we’ve ever had was on camera. It happened when he was in Ibiza and posted photos (on Instagram) of other girls’ asses.

‘My argument was, ”I don’t mind that that is your job but I don’t want you putting it on social media when everyone knows I’m your wife.”‘ 

Awkward: Madeley wasn’t impressed when social media photos emerged featuring her husband behind the decks in Ibiza with a troupe of scantily-clad female dancers

Angry: In an episode of their reality TV series, Madeley notes that the wardrobe doors have been damaged and ends up telling Haskell she ‘wants to kill him’ 

Haskell also admitted he’d had ‘a few arguments with his wife’ over his fondness for flying off to the notorious Balearic party island for paid DJ gigs while she stayed at home. 

Speaking to Unfiltered, he admitted Madeley thought of his jaunts to Ibiza as a ‘holiday’ and was furious when he extended his work trip by a few days, while she cared for their daughter.

He said: ‘My wife thinks DJing in Ibiza is a holiday – it’s work. We’ve had a few arguments about it. I mean she’s very supportive but kind of extending your trip for a few extra days is probably taking the p**s a little bit.’

The retired rugby player said while Madeley was annoyed, the trip had to be extended as ‘I have to do an interview with you guys and I’ve got a boat trip later.’

He added: ‘It’s work but it’s fun. That’s why everyone needs to be a DJ really.’

Haskell also admitted he turned to DJing because he’s a ‘massive attention seeker’.

‘Everything is around performing. I’m a massive attention seeker and I really enjoy performing, none of my work feels like work. The DJing is music and performing, it’s a transition from rugby,’ he said.

‘If I could do only one thing moving forward it would be DJing, but it’s a tough nut to crack obviously.’

Source: Read Full Article