**From Rugby Pitch to DJ Booth: James Haskell’s Unexpected Career turn**
As the British and Irish Lions prepare to face Australia for a potential historic series sweep, another Lions story is capturing attention far from the rugby field. Former England and Lions forward James Haskell, once renowned for his hard-hitting performances on the pitch, has well and truly transformed his public image, enjoying a flourishing second act as a tech-house DJ.
Haskell, who was part of the dramatic 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand, has found himself back in the spotlight this summer, not for his exploits with the ball, but for his presence behind the decks. While Andy Farrell’s current squad look set to make history in Sydney, Haskell is contributing to the touring atmosphere in his own unique way, energising crowds with his music—rather than tackles and turnovers.
The retired flanker, now 40, will be among the entertainers in Sydney’s city centre following the third and final Test between the Lions and Wallabies—an event likely to draw in a host of recognisable rugby faces after the on-field drama concludes. Haskell’s move into music began shortly after his professional rugby career ended in 2019, and, unlike his brief flirtation with mixed martial arts, the DJ scene has proved a long-term calling.
Haskell’s journey since retirement has been multi-layered. Beyond the rugby and music, he has also made notable appearances in reality television, most memorably competing on “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.” His knack for engaging with broader audiences has fuelled the popularity of his live sets at clubs and festivals. As this year’s Lions tour winds down, Haskell has been travelling across Australia, providing the unofficial soundtrack to the squad’s adventures, just eight years after his participation as a tourist himself.
Personal experiences off the pitch have also shaped Haskell’s public persona. He was formerly married to Chloe Madeley, a fitness influencer and TV personality with a notable media lineage—the daughter of celebrated ITV duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. The pair, who wed in 2018 after four years together, welcomed a daughter, Bodhi, in August 2022, but parted ways just over a year later. Despite the separation, Haskell and Madeley have both stressed their commitment to co-parenting and prioritising their daughter’s wellbeing.
However, their relationship did not end without difficulties. In recent candid admissions, Haskell reflected on personal struggles, even attributing some of the challenges in the relationship to his drinking habits. Speaking this spring at a festival, he remarked, “If I put more time into my marriage than I did Guinness, then I wouldn’t be divorced now.” Both Haskell and Madeley have called for a spirit of teamwork as they raise their child together in the wake of their separation.
Long before his marriage, Haskell was briefly linked with BBC presenter Helen Skelton, with whom he went on a memorable blind date back in 2010. While their respective careers took them around the globe, Skelton later reminisced fondly, suggesting that distance, rather than a lack of chemistry, was the only barrier to a romance.
Yet for all his personal headlines, Haskell’s post-rugby career has spread across various projects. Alongside his DJ work, he is co-founder of Blackeye Gin, launching the spirits brand with fellow sports personalities Mike Tindall and Alex Payne. Haskell is also a prolific author, penning both autobiographical and self-help books, and regularly appears as an after-dinner speaker, bringing insight into modern sport and life.
As a player, Haskell earned his Lions call-up in 2017 as an injury replacement for Billy Vunipola. Though he did not collect a coveted Test cap, he made his mark during the tour. Now, by spinning records for fans and former teammates alike, he’s playing a very different but no less enthusiastic role in supporting the next generation’s historic bid Down Under.
With this reinvention, Haskell demonstrates that high-profile professional athletes, even those as physically imposing as rugby enforcers, can find new ways to connect, perform, and inspire long after their sporting glory days fade. The music may be new, but the drive to entertain remains very much the same.