Richard Keys' ex wife found out he was getting married on Saturday two hours beforehand - when he texted her - according to reports.
The former Sky Sports presenter, 66, got hitched to his daughter's friend, Lucie Rose, 34, in Devon, admitting he was a "lucky man."
His actress daughter Jemma, previously described Lucie as a "friend" in a previous interview, although Richard has since issued a statement denying this.
However, Julia apparently had no idea the nuptials were happening until the day itself, when Richard pinged her a text.
A friend of the mum-of-two said she received a message from the groom just hours before he tied the knot in an open-air civil ceremony in Kingswear near Brixham.
Speaking about the shock wedding, Julia said: "'What can I say - I'm in a new relationship now and I've put Richard and our marriage behind me now.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30341751.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_HMV-FOOTBALL-EXTRAVAGANZA-GROSVENOR-HOUSE-LONDON-BRITAIN-30-MAR-2004.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30341761.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/356270873_260939953251702_6244027700058066852_n.jpg)
'I wish him and Lucie all the best. If that's what makes him happy then I'm happy for him but as for me it's all in the past now. I'm in a new relationship and I'm really happy and that's all I want to focus on.
'It looks as if he is happy as well from the photographs so all the best to them. As I say anything to do with Richard and our marriage is in the past so I wish them well," reports MailOnline.
Speaking to The Sun before the ceremony, Richard said: "I'm a very lucky man, although feeling a bit nervous. We're heading off to Canada for our honeymoon which is a bit different.
"Then it's back to work for both of us in August and the start of the football season for me. People think I might be a bit long in the tooth now but I don't care."
After being sacked from Sky following a leaked recording of sexist comments, Richard moved to the Middle East with Julia and their children Josh and Jemma.
It was here he met lawyer Lucy, who was later invited to the presenter's birthday.
However, it was during the celebration Julia thought they may have been more than just friends.
She wrote about her husband's reported affair in The MANScript.
Recalling the first sign something was amiss in her marriage, she said: "I remember at Richard’s birthday party - and I haven't told anyone this before - just as I was leaving, Lucie grabbed my arm and said: 'Are you leaving now, Julia?' She was so insistent, and I thought it was odd - then Richard was ages coming home.
"When I questioned him, he'd said Lucie needed to talk to him as she had a problem."
The Mirror has contacted Richard for comment.