Richard Madeley clashes with Judy over 'cold-hearted' response to children's 'unhappiness'

Richard Madeley has frankly shared what he describes as a potentially "cold-hearted" outlook on addressing the "periods of unhappiness" in his children's lives.

On a recent instalment of the White Wine Question Time podcast fronted by Kate Thornton (September 27), Richard delved into his "existential" take on parenthood.

The Good Morning Britain host, who is a father and stepfather to four, Chloe, Jack, Tom and Dan, opened up after being quizzed on if he believed in the adage that parents are "only as happy as your unhappiest child".

The presenter's reply was one that he acknowledged "may sound a little cold-hearted".

Richard noted: "It's definitely Judy's experience, absolutely her experience, yeah, but again, I'm sorry, no. When my children have gone through periods of unhappiness, now this may sound a little cold-hearted, maybe it is cold-hearted, but I don't think so."

He elaborated: "My analysis has always been, 'Well, they'll get over it', and into every life a little rain is going to fall. So if you're going... as a parent, you're going to sort of go off the angst cliff every time your child is having a rough patch, I mean, with four of them, it's never going to b****y end."

Contrasting worry with parental support, Richard added: "My view is, again, be there for them and I have been. Be there for them, but no, I don't put the light out at night biting my fingernails because one of my children is going through a rough patch or is unhappy."

When asked if Judy worries, he said: "Oh, yeah, definitely, yeah". He also suggested that this trait is not unique to Judy but common among "almost all mothers".

Richard said he takes a rather "existential" stance on matters, which is different from Judy's outlook, preferring to observe and "try not to overreact".

The veteran broadcaster further reflected on life's complexities, sharing wisdom from his friend, radio presenter Anthony H. Wilson, who he said once told him that if it wasn't "complicated", it "wouldn't be life".

Judy and Richard's romance blossomed back in 1982 at Granada Television. Judy, who was formerly wed to David Henshaw, got married to Richard in 1986.

In his 2009 memoir, 'Fathers And Sons', Richard recalls the momentous proposal, writing: "'I come in a three-pack.' Judy's reply when I asked her to marry me could not have been clearer. She was letting me know what I was in for."