Since this is News of the World, take such reports with several grains of salt, but if their account of why Richard & Judy, the chatshow hosts who have became arguably the UK’s best book promotion marchine, will go off the air before the year is out turns out to be true, then publishers will be crying into their collective beers.
A source told NOTW: “Judy simply doesn’t want to be on TV any more. She loves spending time at home and wants to be a housewife for a bit. It has been hard for her to keep up with Richard for a while. He is so vibrant and ambitious.” She may also be looking to concentrate on book projects while Richard may go out on his own as a solo presenter. Sources at Channel 4 confirmed the pair – who have just enjoyed their best ever ratings with the channel – are yet to take up the option of extending their contract until the end of 2008.