Judy ‘I Had To Quit'

One year since Judy officially retired from the limelight, the truth behind her exit is revealed

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Judy Finnigan enjoyed a fruitful career for 43 years before she waved goodbye to the showbiz world. However, years prior to her announcing her retirement, Judy stepped away from TV presenting and instead focused on other passions, including writing books. Meanwhile, her husband, Richard Madeley, 63, has continued the career they’d carved out as a pair.

Eyebrows were raised at the time as to why Judy, 71, vowed to ‘never go back’ to showbiz. But Woman’s Own has learned it was a secret battle after the menopause that played a part in her taking a back seat.

Having always liked a ‘quiet life’, it’s no surprise Judy didn’t want to live out the after-effects of the menopause – which she describes as ‘horrible’ – in the glaring eyes of the nation…

JUDY’S SECRET STRUGGLE

Judy has revealed that her struggle with the menopause had such a detrimental effect on her work that it made it almost ‘impossible’.

She reflects, ‘Menopause can be horrible (mine was, and it affected my work badly). It’s good we can now talk openly about it; taboos and secrecy make everything worse.’