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James Andrew Welbon Haskell is a former England rugby union flanker who played 77 Tests for his country, captained the British & Irish Lions on tour, and later reinvented himself as a best‑selling author, podcaster, DJ, and even a professional MMA fighter. Born on 2 April 1985, he stands 1.93 m tall and weighed 112 kg during his playing days. His rugby career spanned 17 years, from 2002 to 2019, taking him from the Wasps academy to clubs in England, France, Japan, and New Zealand.
Since hanging up his boots, Haskell has built a diversified media brand. He co‑hosts the rugby podcast The Good, the Bad & the Rugby, which draws an estimated 150,000 weekly listeners, and has published three books including the Sunday Times bestseller What A Flanker. A brief attempt at mixed martial arts ended after one professional fight, but his post‑rugby journey remains one of the most watched in British sport.
However, his public profile is also accompanied by financial challenges. Reports indicate that his fitness‑franchise businesses, tied to the F45 brand, have accumulated around £1.5 million in debt, complicating the picture of his personal wealth. Meanwhile, his marriage to fitness author Chloe Madeley – the daughter of TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan – ended in separation in 2024, adding to ongoing public curiosity about his life off the pitch.
Who Is James Haskell? Rugby Career, Biography, and Key Milestones
Former England Rugby Star
77 caps for England, 6 for Lions
Best‑Selling Author
‘What a Flanker’ Sunday Times Bestseller
MMA Fighter (Pro Debut 2021)
1 pro MMA fight (loss by KO)
Podcaster & DJ
Co‑host of ‘The Good, the Bad & the Rugby’
- Multi‑Career Path: Haskell has successfully pivoted from elite rugby to a diverse media and fitness personality, with forays into music, writing, and MMA.
- Financial Success Beyond Playing Salary: His net worth is estimated at £5‑7 million, built from playing contracts, book royalties, podcast revenue, brand endorsements, and speaking fees.
- Public Interest Driven by Personal Life and Controversies: High search volumes for ‘wife’ and ‘Joe Marler’ indicate that personal relationships and on‑field incidents drive significant traffic.
- MMA as a Cross‑Over Trend: Haskell’s brief MMA career tapped into the trend of athletes switching to combat sports, attracting both rugby and MMA audiences.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Andrew Welbon Haskell |
| Born | 2 April 1985 (age 40 as of 2025) |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 112 kg (17 st 9 lb) |
| Rugby Position | Flanker (openside/blindside) |
| International Caps | 77 (England) + 6 (British & Irish Lions) |
| Clubs | Wasps, Northampton Saints, Stade Français, Ricoh Black Rams |
| Books | What a Flanker (2021) – Sunday Times Bestseller |
| MMA Record | 0‑1 (lost to Greg Hardy via KO, 2021) |
| Marital Status | Separated from Chloe Madeley (2024) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £5‑7 million |
| Podcast | Co‑host of The Good, the Bad & the Rugby |
James Haskell’s Net Worth and Salary: How Much Does He Earn?
Haskell’s financial profile is a mix of visible success and opaque liabilities. In 2022, various media outlets estimated his net worth at around $1.5 million (£1.1 million). However, that figure does not account for the debts accumulated by his business ventures. Together with his then‑wife Chloe Madeley, their combined net worth was previously reported as high as £4.7 million.
Income Sources After Rugby
His earnings no longer come from a playing salary. Instead, revenue flows from several channels: book royalties, podcast advertising, after‑dinner speaking fees, DJ‑ing at venues such as Ministry of Sound and Ibiza Rocks, and leadership seminars. He also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2022, which likely carried a participation fee.
Business Debt Warning
A less publicised side of Haskell’s finances involves his F45 fitness franchise. Companies linked to him – Hask 45 (Bath) Ltd and Hask 45 Ltd – are reported to have built up approximately £1.5 million in debt, with one entity showing a deficit of £927,000. The collapse of the franchise model after the pandemic was cited as the primary cause.
No public financial disclosure exists that breaks down Haskell’s exact personal net worth. The reported £5‑7 million estimate is largely speculative, and the extent to which the business debt affects his personal assets – including real estate and luxury vehicles – is not confirmed.
James Haskell’s Personal Life: Wife, Divorce, and Family
Haskell married Chloe Madeley in Paris on 15 December 2018. They first connected through social media in 2014. Chloe is a fitness author, former Big Brother’s Big Mouth host, and model for brands such as FHM and Ultimo. She is also the daughter of British TV icons Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
Separation and Child
In 2024 the couple separated, and as of 2025 they are reported to be finalising a divorce. They have a child together, born after the announcement that Chloe was expecting in 2022. Privacy around the divorce settlement remains tight – no official details have been disclosed.
Correcting a Common Misconception
Contrary to some online queries, Chloe Madeley is not an MMA fighter. That confusion likely stems from James Haskell’s own brief attempt at mixed martial arts. She is a fitness author and television personality.
Met in 2014 via social media; married in Paris in 2018; separated in 2024; one child. Chloe is also the author of weight‑loss books and has a background in modelling and presenting.
Did James Haskell Fight in MMA? His Combat Sports Journey
Yes – Haskell signed with Bellator MMA as a heavyweight fighter shortly after his rugby retirement in 2019. He made his professional debut on 20 February 2021 against former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy. The fight ended in the first round by knockout, with Haskell losing.
Why He Attempted MMA
Haskell has spoken about his lifelong interest in martial arts and the desire to test himself in a new arena. His rugby background – size, strength, and conditioning – seemed a natural fit, but the transition proved tougher than expected.
Short‑Lived Career
After the Hardy loss, Haskell was scheduled for further bouts but withdrew due to spinal surgery and the COVID‑19 pandemic restrictions. He has not fought since, and there has been no confirmation that he will return to the cage. The MMA chapter remains a single‑fight entry on his professional record.
Attempts by elite rugby players to switch to combat sports are rare but not unprecedented. Haskell’s fight attracted significant crossover audience interest, but his lack of dedicated striking experience was a decisive factor in the outcome.
James Haskell Books and Media: Best‑Selling Author and Podcaster
Haskell has built a substantial media platform since retiring. His autobiography What A Flanker (2021) became a Top 10 Sunday Times bestseller and won an award for sports book of the year. The follow‑up Ruck Me (2021) and a personal‑growth guide Approach With(out) Caution (2023) expanded his literary catalogue.
Podcasting Success
He co‑hosts The Good, the Bad & the Rugby alongside former England teammate Mike Tindall and comedian Alex Payne. The show regularly attracts 150,000 weekly listeners and features candid interviews with rugby personalities. Haskell also runs Backrow Radio, a DJ‑oriented music show.
Other Media Ventures
Beyond writing and podcasting, Haskell is a regular DJ at major clubs and festivals. He books after‑dinner speaking engagements and leadership seminars, which have become a steady income stream. His active social media presence – particularly Instagram – keeps him connected with fans and sponsors.
What Are the Key Milestones in James Haskell’s Career?
- – Youth career at Reading RFC; joined Wasps academy.
- – Wasps first team; England debut in 2006; injury‑interrupted spells.
- – Move to Stade Français; later returned to Wasps then Northampton Saints.
- – Return to Wasps; Lions tours (2009, 2013, 2017); international career ended.
- – Retirement from professional rugby; moved into media and DJ‑ing.
- – Published What a Flanker; MMA debut (loss to Greg Hardy).
- – Podcast success; separation from Chloe Madeley; continued fitness‑brand work.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About James Haskell?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| James Haskell played 77 Tests for England. | Exact net worth figures vary; no public financial disclosure exists. |
| He is the author of What a Flanker. | Details of his divorce settlement are private. |
| He had one professional MMA fight in 2021. | Whether he will fight in MMA again remains unconfirmed. |
| He married Chloe Madeley in 2018. | Injury specifics during his career are sometimes vague. |
| He separated from Chloe Madeley in 2024. | None of his post‑rugby income streams are publicly audited. |
How Did James Haskell Transition from Rugby to Media and Combat Sports?
Haskell’s shift reflects a broader trend among modern athletes who build post‑sport brands through podcasts, books, and fitness ventures. His high public profile – including the infamous 2016 “hair pull” incident with Joe Marler – kept him in the spotlight long after his playing days. Rather than vanish from public view, he used his personality and network to launch a media career.
His MMA debut, though brief, generated enormous media coverage. The fight against Greg Hardy was a headline event, drawing attention from both rugby and combat‑sport audiences. Yet the outcome – a first‑round knockout – illustrates the difficulty of switching codes at an elite level. Haskell’s attempt was genuine but short‑lived.
The Good, the Bad & the Rugby became a top sports podcast by leveraging Haskell’s connections within the rugby community. His book sales, boosted by a cross‑market appeal, further cemented his status as a media personality. The separation from Chloe Madeley and the collapse of his F45 franchise are the most recent chapters in an eventful post‑rugby story.
What Have Experts and Colleagues Said About James Haskell?
“I’m a firm believer that you should always be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
James Haskell in an interview (The Guardian, 2021)
“James Haskell is one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve ever worked with.”
Former England coach Eddie Jones (BBC Sport)
“His book is hilarious and insightful – a must‑read for rugby fans.”
Amazon review summary
What Is James Haskell Doing Now?
As of 2025, James Haskell continues to grow his media brand. He hosts The Good, the Bad & the Rugby, maintains a presence on Instagram and YouTube, and explores new book projects. A return to MMA in a low‑stakes exhibition cannot be ruled out, but his focus appears to be on fitness training, speaking engagements, and podcast expansion. The legal resolution of his divorce is expected to generate further news coverage. For broader context on rugby‑turned‑MMA figures, Molly McCann – MMA Record, Retirement and Boxing Plans provides a parallel story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Haskell still married to Chloe Madeley?
As of 2025, they have separated and are reportedly finalizing a divorce.
How many caps does James Haskell have for England?
77 caps for England and 6 for the British & Irish Lions.
What is James Haskell’s MMA record?
He has one professional MMA fight, a loss by KO to Greg Hardy in 2021.
What is James Haskell’s podcast called?
He co‑hosts ‘The Good, the Bad & the Rugby’ with Mike Tindall and Alex Payne.
Did James Haskell play in the Rugby World Cup?
Yes, he played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and was part of the 2015 squad but did not play due to injury.
What books has James Haskell written?
What a Flanker (2021), Ruck Me (2021), and Approach With(out) Caution (2023).
What happened between James Haskell and Joe Marler?
During a 2016 match, Joe Marler pulled Haskell’s hair, a controversial incident that drew widespread attention.
Is James Haskell injured?
He is not currently injured. He retired from rugby in 2019 and has not reported any recent injuries.
Does James Haskell have children?
Yes, he has one child with Chloe Madeley, born after 2022.
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Diane Forbes leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Civic Affairs.