My Mum, Your Dad star Roger's family 'split down the middle' by ITV dating show

25 September 2023 , 09:35

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Roger says his family were 'split' over his decision to appear on the show (Image: ITV)

My Mum, Your Dad may have had a positive effect on the singleton's love lives – but Roger's family have been left torn apart.

The star who recently appeared on the ITV dating programme dubbed an older Love Island found love with Janey, 47, but has now opened up about the concerns he and his nearest and dearest had ahead of his appearance on the show. Roger, 59, was seen becoming emotional earlier in the series after he opened up about his late wife's death.

The postman and his late wife Joanne had been together for 37 and she passed away just 18 months before he joined the programme, hosted by Davina McCall. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Roger agreed with viewers that he wasn't ready to find a new girlfriend.

Roger has opened up about the toll My Mum, Your Dad had on his family (ITV)

Speaking to anchors Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, Roger revealed that his family also had reservations about him taking part. "It split them down the middle. But I said 'If I had the once-in-a-lifetime chance I am going to take it'." But when Richard asked if the programme had been a "journey of discovery", he responded: "I did think to myself if I met someone, I thought I would fall hard.

"And I did, very hard," while his girlfriend Janey struggled to hide her delight as she grinned from ear to ear. Both Janey and Roger went on to explain that his daughter, Jess, and her son Will, were fully supportive of their relationship.

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But they later joked that they "needed to lie down" after being overwhelmed with support from viewers, who have also stopped them in the street since the show aired. However, sometimes, it can get a bit much as he revealed that he was 'manhandled' by a crowd of female fans on his journey down to London. "He was manhandled at Victoria station when we arrived in London," Janey joked.

Roger and Janey appear to be happier than ever

In an odd turn of events, anchor Richard went on to liken the couple to "ham and eggs" as they paired together so well. Over the weekend, the couple cemented their relationship and confirmed that months after filming for the programme wrapped, they were still very much an item. Taking to Instagram, Janey shared a snap of the couple alongside the caption: "What an amazing journey... Saturday mornings just got a whole lot better."

Meanwhile, Roger shared a string of snaps alongside the caption: "It's been hard to keep it a secret but the wait is finally over - me and the beautiful @janeybombshell are still going strong and have never been better since," he said. He also uploaded a sweet snap of the two beaming as they enjoyed each other's company on a sandy beach, showing the pair continuing their romance after the show. He added: "We couldn’t be happier together and it wouldn’t be possible without @itv."

Daniel Bird