Richard and Judy to host This Morning for the first time in 18 years after vowing never to return
THIS Morning legends Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan are returning to host the show for the first time in 18 years.
The husband-and-wife team are coming back as stand-in presenters - despite Judy vowing never to return, insisting: "I wouldn't remotely want to do television again."
Richard, 63, and Judy, 71, will stand in for the show's regular Friday hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford for a two-hour show.
The quotes the couple as saying: "This Morning holds a very special place in our hearts, so we couldn’t be more delighted to take the helm once again."
It adds that they could be offered regular hosting gigs if their big comeback show proves a success.
The pair drew millions of viewers to the series with their on-air bickering and cringe-worthy stunts, which saw them swapping clothes and Richard dressing up as Ali G, opposite "me Judy".
They are due to appear as presenters again on Friday October 25 from 10.30am.
The daytime hit's editor Martin Frizzell said: "We can’t wait to have these broadcasting legends back on the sofa."
When Richard and Judy left This Morning, the show was hosted by a range of experimental pairings, starting with Coleen Nolan and Twiggy and followed by John Leslie and Fern Britton.
John wound up being replaced by Phillip Schofield in 2002 with the silver fox forming a successful double-act with Fern until she quit the show.
She was replaced by Holly Willoughby in 2009, with her and Phil recently celebrating a decade on the show together.
Richard and Judy had a test run on the modern-day This Morning in August, when they returned to the show as guests.
The pair appeared on the sofa alongside Love Island stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury.
When Richard started grilling the pair, summer stand-in Rochelle Humes intervened, saying: "You can sit in for us later if you want."
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