Lucie Rose, married to former Sky Sports host Richard Keys, has shared her thoughts publicly for the first time about their relationship. Notably, Rose is 31 years younger than her husband.

At 37, Rose is a successful partner at a major New York law firm, and she has expressed her frustration with being stereotyped as a ‘trophy wife’ or ‘gold digger’.

Addressing the significant age gap, Keys commented, “It confuses people, but I don’t feel the difference. I never have,” to which Rose quipped, “That’s because you’re my adult toddler.”

The pair met in Qatar, where Keys had resided for 13 years and Rose was employed by the Qatar Investment Authority. Their relationship culminated in marriage in 2023.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Keys addressed claims regarding his previous marriage, stating, “I didn’t leave Julia while she was battling cancer. That wasn’t the case.”

Lucie Rose (right) opened up on her marriage to ‘adult toddler’ Richard Keys in a new interview with The Telegraph 

Keys worked for beIN SPORTS for the last 13 years in Qatar – where he met Rose while she was working for the Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund

Reflecting on his unexpected life changes, the 68-year-old Keys remarked, “I never imagined my marriage of 34 years would end, but when Lucie came along, she was a whirlwind. And the rest is history.”

In 2011, Keys resigned from Sky Sports after making derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis and other women in the industry. Thinking his microphone had been switched off, he said: ‘Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her (Massey).’ 

He was also heard saying of West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady: ‘See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love.’ 

Amid the fallout, a clip also emerged of him using vulgar language towards Jamie Redknapp, asking the former Liverpool and Tottenham player, ‘Did you smash it?’, in reference to his love life.

Asked about the episode more than a decade on, Rose said: ‘For me, the most important thing is people’s ability to change and evolve. If I had met someone who was trying to justify that culture, there wouldn’t have been anywhere for us to go. 

‘But that wasn’t the person I met. I met someone who was traumatised, to an extent, by the culture he lived through. Except somehow he is marked as being the cause of it. I don’t think that’s fair – it’s not who he is.’

Meanwhile Julia said Key’s affair with Rose ruined the career of her Hollyoaks actress daughter as she spiralled into alcoholism and depression. Jemma also faced legal action over a string of abusive texts she sent to her former friend before charges were dropped by prosecutors.

Julia, who stuck by Keys when he resigned from his role with Sky Sports in 2011, previously released her own infidelity survival guide called The MANScript following their separation. 

Keys with his ex-wife Julia (left) and daughter Jemma (right) in 2007. Lucie was a friend of Jemma’s

In the book, which was published in 2018, she shared several details about the split. She wrote: ‘Richard’s affair didn’t just devastate my world, but the world of our children Jemma and Josh too. 

‘It is only now, two years on, that he has admitted he did have an affair with Lucie, as well as acknowledging his deceit and the damage it has caused.’

In this latest interview, Keys also opened up on his desire to become a father again, despite being nearly 70.

‘If something of that nature happened, I would be a very, very happy man,’ he said. ‘I’ve looked around at men my age who have entered the fatherhood phase for a second time, and they all seem to be a lot more relaxed. 

‘They’re more understanding of the role they have. 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.’