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The former Sky Sports host Richard Keys has spoken out about his much-scrutinised relationship with his second wife Lucie Rose, 37, describing his reputation as a “love rat” as “nonsense”.
The 68-year-old broadcaster’s first wife Julia filed for divorce in 2016 after 34 years of marriage, following Keys’ alleged affair with Lucie, a lawyer. Julia was recovering from thyroid cancer at the time of the split, and said that the break-up “didn’t just devastate my world, but the world of our children Jemma and Josh, too”.
In a new interview with The Telegraph, Keys sought to clear up speculation about his second marriage, emphasising that he didn’t “leave Julia dying of cancer, or suffering with cancer”.
“Sadly, she had cancer in 2008 and [20]09, and we ran into a genius surgeon who removed it,” he added.
Keys admitted that the age gap in his relationship ‘baffles’ others (@beINSPORTS_EN/X)
He also hit back at reports suggesting that Lucie was his daughter Jemma’s best friend at the time of the alleged affair, noting instead that the two women had previously socialised together in Doha, where they lived.
“What’s damaging is that people presume I ran away with my daughter’s best mate, locked her in a room, and gave her no choice about whether she wanted to be with me or not,” he said. “All of which is nonsense.”
Addressing their 31 year age gap, Keys admitted: “It baffles people, but I don’t feel it. I never have”.
Keys and his first wife Julia, pictured in 2009 (PA)
He also revealed that he would be keen to have more children in the future.
“If something of that nature happened, I would be a very, very happy man,” he told the paper.
“I’ve looked around at men my age who have entered the fatherhood phase for a second time, and they all seem to be a lot more relaxed.
“They’re more understanding of the role they have. I’ve come to the conclusion that when you’re in your 20s, 30s, you’re pushing your shoulders to the wheel and you haven’t got time to be a good father. I’ve got plenty of time.”