Over the years, has been open about ageing, but he's constantly denied making one major change that is often spotlighted during his various TV appearances. And at the age of 69, having marked his birthday today (13 May), the host has revealed the secret behind his youthful looks.

Richard, who found fame alongside wife on ITV's , previously spoke about defying ageing on the podcast with Kate Thornton. Speaking about his hair, Richard revealed he had light hair as a child before it went darker, but over the past "20 years", he's gone grey.

"I've been accused of actually dying my hair lighter, which I always happily and honestly refute. I don't. It's funny, again, I've kind of come full circle!" he laughed.

He revealed his lighter locks are usually from holidaying in the south of France, where he owns a "little place". The TV star said the "sun lightens" his hair, meaning when he comes back to viewers begin to question if he's had highlights added to his hair.

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Kate noted that Richard could "pass for a man much younger", but he admitted he thinks he seems youthful due to having aged on camera in front of millions. He told her: "Don't you think that's because I've not actually ever been off.... So you know, I'm ageing slowly on camera because I haven't been away for like five years or 10 years."

The TV host went on to reveal that he does keep an eye on his weight as gets older, saying he feels it's "important" to keep an eye on the scales as "you get into middle age".

Elsewhere, Richard spoke about his beloved wife Judy, 76, on the podcast. He revealed she is "really enjoying" no longer being on TV, having stopped regularly appearing of programmes in around 2015. She has since turned her focus to writing novels, including 2023 release Roseland.

Richard admitted that his wife is still finding the time to "challenge" him over different things, but he does feel he "deserves it" most of the time. He added: "I think, to be honest, she challenges me more than I challenge her, but that's probably because I deserve it.

"I earn it. I think our family and our friends would say that. It tends to be her, you know, pulling me up rather than the other way around."

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