Richard Keys insists he didn't leave ex-wife 'dying or suffering with cancer' as record set straight

"I didn't leave Julia dying of cancer, or suffering with cancer," Keys told the Telegraph.

"Sadly, she had cancer in 2008 and '09, and we ran into a genius surgeon who removed it."

He recalled spending 30 consecutive days seeking out top specialists and hospitals during her treatment, adding that he was working at Arsenal on the day of her operation to avoid drawing unwanted attention to her condition.

Keys also addressed perceptions about his relationship with Lucie Rose, who is 31 years younger than him and whom he married in 2023.

The broadcaster dismissed suggestions that he had somehow coerced his daughter's friend into the relationship.

"What's damaging is that people presume I ran away with my daughter's best mate, locked her in a room, and gave her no choice about whether she wanted to be with me or not. All of which is nonsense," he said.

He described his wife as a formidable individual with strong convictions.

He added: "Lucie's one of the most powerful, strong-minded individuals you'll come across. She's deeply passionate about women's rights. People see me as an easy target, but the narrative is not fair on her. It's totally wrong."

Julia, who remained with Keys following his 2011 departure from Sky Sports over comments about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis, later published her own account of the marriage breakdown.

Her 2018 book, The MANScript, served as a guide for surviving infidelity and detailed the impact on their family.

"Richard's affair didn't just devastate my world, but the world of our children Jemma and Josh too," she wrote.

Julia noted that Keys only acknowledged the affair with Lucie two years after their separation, along with the harm his dishonesty had caused.

She described enduring multiple hardships simultaneously, including her cancer treatment, caring for her dying mother, managing her father's dementia diagnosis, and supporting daughter Jemma through alcoholism struggles.

Keys sought to clarify the nature of the relationship between his daughter Jemma and Lucie, stating they had socialised together rather than being closest friends as often portrayed.

He acknowledged that anger followed when the affair came to light, bringing their 36-year marriage to an end.

Despite approaching his 70th birthday, the broadcaster expressed a desire to have more children with his current wife.

"If something of that nature happened, I would be a very, very happy man," he said, observing that men who become fathers later in life appear more at ease with the role.

"I've come to the conclusion that when you're in your 20s, 30s, you're pushing your shoulders to the wheel and you haven't got time to be a good father. I've got plenty of time."