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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ellie Kirwin-Jones

Anna Richardson says she wasn't prepared for 'devastating' Sue Perkins split

The end of a relationship is never easy at any age, as Anna Richardson knows. The 51-year-old TV host talks candidly about the agonies of breaking up in later life. “No one can ever prepare you for it,” she tells us.

“Even when it happens a handful of times in your life, you never quite get used to it.”

The friendly and approachable Anna first caught the public eye as a presenter on Channel 4 ’s The Big Breakfast before making a name for herself in popular diet shows Supersize Vs Superskinny and Secret Eaters.

She has also fronted daring programmes such as The Sex Education Show and Naked Attraction, in which she tackles sex and dating.

When we catch up with her, it’s hard to resist her infectious energy. She even gives us advice about our own love life – after all, not everyone can matchmake nude strangers on national TV with such self-possession and aplomb.

The split has been tough on the pair (Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)
The pair split after many discussions about children (Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)

But Anna has been single since her split from former Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins last summer.

Both the presenters, whose relationship had lasted about seven years, were said to be “devastated” after going their separate ways.

Anna says, “I suppose I don’t know whether you become more resilient as you get older, but heartbreak definitely is still that mystery that needs to be solved, and how to get over it and become stronger.”

Looking back, the Changing Rooms host says she wishes she’d had more faith in herself as a teenager.

“Don’t worry so much” is the advice she would give 16-year-old Anna.

Channel 4’s sexed-up show Naked Attraction has stormed TV for the past few years ((Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) Channel 4 Picture Publicity, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2TX This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publicity purposes in connection with the current broadcast of the programme(s) featured in the national and local press and listings. Not to be reproduced or redistributed for any use or in any medium not set out above (including the internet or other electronic form) without the prior written consent of Channel 4 Picture Publicity.)

“Don’t care so much about what other people think and I’d probably say, ‘You’ve got more strength than you realise’.”

Anna also talks about the biggest challenge she has faced so far: coming to terms with getting older.

“I was thinking about this earlier on, and you know what? Honestly, it’s been ageing, and hitting 50,” she confesses.

“We all used to get really hung up about hitting 40. I’m telling you – wait until you get into your late forties, early fifties.”

Anna believes such milestones can make people stop and question their life decisions. “You hit the menopause, you start thinking, ‘Am I in the right marriage?’ And for a lot of my friends, who are going through divorces, you start thinking, ‘Oh God, I forgot to have children. What now?’ It’s a really fundamental and visceral realisation [if you haven’t had children] that, ‘Oh my God, I can’t do that any more.’ Even if I wanted to.”

She admits to feeling “slow, inexorable dread” when she thinks about the future. “It seems to be a bit of a decline. And it’s very difficult.”

(Channel 5)

She also reveals her worries for her parents. “Don’t underestimate the fact that our parents then start to get very sick and die. I’ve had a slew of friends losing their parents recently. It’s a really difficult rite of passage, and nobody tells you.”

But one thing always guaranteed to lift her spirits is her Staffordshire bull terrier, Tig.

“My rescue is an absolute joy,” she says. “I used to have cats and rabbits, but it was amazing getting Tig about four years ago. I hadn’t had a dog as an adult, so I felt a little trepidation. But she’s the love of my life. You can’t be sad when you’ve got a dog.”

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