Richard Keys defends leaving wife of 34 years for his daughter’s friend
Richard Keys Justifies Divorce from 34-Year Marriage, Credits Lucie Rose’s Influence
Richard Keys has defended his decision to end a 34-year marriage, stating he did not leave his ex-wife while she battled cancer and had no expectation of the split until he met his current partner. He emphasized that the separation was a surprise, not a calculated move.
After separating from Julia in 2016, Keys began a relationship with Lucie Rose, who is 32 years his junior. Their union culminated in marriage in 2023, sparking discussions about the age gap. Keys also addressed claims that Lucie was pressured into the relationship, asserting she is a strong-willed individual who made her own choices.
‘I’ve never sat with anyone and discussed this, but I didn’t leave Julia dying of cancer or struggling with it,’ Keys told The Telegraph. He described her cancer diagnosis in 2008 and 2009, noting they consulted a remarkable surgeon who successfully removed the tumor. ‘We spent 30 days straight traveling to secure the best specialists, hospitals, and anaesthetists,’ he added.
Despite his professional commitments, such as covering a match for Arsenal on the day of the surgery, Keys insisted he was focused on supporting Julia. ‘I wasn’t indifferent, but I wanted to keep her condition private to avoid unnecessary scrutiny,’ he explained.
Social media has speculated that Julia’s cancer diagnosis was the catalyst for the divorce, but Keys refutes this, asserting that the illness did not dictate the end of their union. He highlighted her passion for women’s rights, countering perceptions of him as a facile target for criticism.
Lucie, who is a partner at Proskauer Rose, a prominent New York law firm, expressed confusion over the backlash but felt no resentment. ‘It’s puzzling to others, but I never did,’ she said, adding that the age difference was never an issue for her.
In 2011, during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolves, Keys and Andy Gray made disparaging remarks about female assistant referee Sian Massey, believing their microphones were off. Keys joked, ‘Someone should explain offside to her,’ while Gray quipped, ‘Can you believe that? Female linesman. They probably don’t know the offside rule.’
Another leaked clip saw Keys question ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on whether he had ‘smashed’ a female colleague. ‘That’s a silly question. If you were anywhere near it, you definitely smashed it,’ he remarked, illustrating his past views on gender dynamics.
Keys first married Julia in 1982, and together they raised two children, Jemma and Josh. After their divorce in 2016, Julia penned an infidelity survival guide, stating her ex’s actions ‘didn’t just devastate my world, but the world of our children, too.’
Following his departure from beIN SPORTS in Qatar, Keys and Lucie have since settled in London. Despite his advancing age, he remains eager to expand his family, expressing that becoming a father again would make him ‘a very, very happy man.’
Keys fronted Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage for nearly two decades before leaving in 2011 due to his sexist remarks. His longtime co-presenter Andy Gray also exited the network after additional clips revealed their shared tendencies towards gender-based humor. ‘Prehistoric banter isn’t acceptable in today’s world,’ Keys admitted, acknowledging the need for change as societal norms evolved.
