‘We have a degree in supporting each other'

Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha and her husband Mark Adderley on battling their demons, the secrets of their happy marriage and how they tackle parenting

- GEMMA McCARTNEY

Nadia Sawalha and her husband Mark Adderley aren’t afraid to share their views on – and experiences of – tricky subjects such as addiction, mental health and therapy.

The couple, who have a family reality series on YouTube named The Sawalha-Adderleys, confess they’re “very open” when we chat with them ahead of the release of their new book Honey, I Homeschooled The Kids.

Loose Women panellist Nadia, 55, and TV producer Mark, 49, are pretty much experts in this field, having taught their girls Maddie, 17, and Kiki, 13, at home for nearly six years – long before the pandemic forced all parents to study fractions and hold virtual PE classes in their front rooms.

“I’ve been asked to go on every show and talk about homeschooling and I’ve always said no,” Nadia tells us. “Everybody wants something in a soundbite. So often people want to say, ‘You’re mad, hippy dippies and you’ve got feral children running around in the woods naked and hardly speaking.’”

Mark adds, “We’re not anti-school, we just want people to know there are choices.”

They may love teaching their children themselves, but Nadia and Mark are excited that Kiki has decided to join a state academy in September 2021, while Maddie is pursuing a career in singing.

When it comes to their 18-year marriage, the pair have certainly been through the mill. Mark battled alcoholism 16 years ago, spending some time in rehab, and both have struggled with mental health issues.

Mark tells us the secret to their long-lasting relationship is “listening to each other” and couples counselling.