Richard Madeley thinks his wife Judy Finnigan is the "best female presenter in the UK".

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley

The 63-year-old TV star has hailed his wife's presenting talents, describing her as "able and versatile" - but he admits Judy has never enjoyed being famous.

He shared: "For my money, Judy's still the best female presenter in the UK, she is so able and versatile.

"But of all the presenters I know she was always the most reluctant one, she didn't enjoy the fame thing at all."

Richard and Judy, 71 - who have been married since 1986 - are currently on lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And Judy has admitted to missing her kids during the health crisis.

The presenter - who has Chloe, 32, and Jack, 34, with Richard, as well as 43-year-old twins Dan and Tom from her first marriage - told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I think for a lot of people, that's the worst thing about it really- it's not so much being at home, it's being at home and not being able to see the people you love and care for the most."

However, Richard insisted that he and Judy aren't struggling too much with the lockdown because they're used to "living cheek by jowl".

He added: "For us lockdown isn't posing any fresh challenges at all - it's how we have always lived."

Richard also rubbished the letter Judy recently received from Health Secretary Matt Hancock telling her to stay indoors for 12 weeks due to her age.

He said: "When it comes to over-70s it's down to common sense, and you have to allow people to make their own risk assessment."