BBC's Clive Myrie Reveals Keys to a Happy and Long Marriage: Quality Time Apart and a Major Life Decision

Television presenter Clive Myrie has opened up about the factors contributing to his enduring marriage with his wife, Catherine. The couple, who decided early on not to have children, believe spending time apart is crucial for a thriving relationship. This is prepared by SSP.

The two first met in 1992 at the launch of a book about Swiss cheese. Despite Clive’s parents' initial reservations about his journalism career, he credits Catherine with giving him the "courage and space to pursue my dreams," particularly his passion for world travel. This shared love for exploration led the couple to conclude that raising children would prove challenging due to their adventurous lifestyle.

Discussing the decision on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast, Clive shared, "We've come from bigger families. I'm from a family of seven, and Catherine's from a family of five. We weren't desperate for that kind of familial glue. I always wanted to travel the world, and it got to the point where we realized we wanted to continue this lifestyle. Bringing children along would have been tricky."

Although they don't have children of their own, Clive mentioned that they have a "hell of a lot of nieces and nephews." He also emphasized the importance of personal space in maintaining a loving marriage. Referencing a conversation with The Guardian, he quoted Michael Caine, stating: "In the words of Michael Caine, separate bathrooms make a marriage. Figuratively speaking, at least."