Katie Piper has opened up about the realities of married life, admitting that love alone isn’t enough to sustain a relationship — even after more than a decade with her husband Richard Sutton.
The television presenter, who appears on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip on March 7, spoke frankly about her marriage while reflecting on the lessons she has learned over the years.
Katie explained that long-lasting relationships require constant effort and commitment. She told OK! that marriage isn’t something that simply works by itself, saying: “I think that marriage is a discipline. Love is amazing, but it’s not enough. Marriage is a choice and a commitment that you have to keep showing up for.”
Katie first met Richard through mutual friends in 2013, and the couple tied the knot two years later. Over the years they have built a happy family life together and are now parents to two daughters — Belle, 11, and Penelope, eight. The pair celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary last year.
Despite their strong relationship, Katie revealed she remains careful about how she talks about love publicly. She said she remembers clearly how difficult certain moments felt when she was single, particularly around Valentine’s Day. Katie explained that she always tries to be mindful of others’ feelings when discussing relationships.
To mark their milestone anniversary last November, Katie shared a heartfelt tribute to Richard on Instagram. Alongside a series of sweet photos — including one of the couple wearing matching white robes and another showing their anniversary cake — she wrote: “10 years married – and he still makes me laugh.” She added a simple message to her husband: “Love you, always.”
Motherhood has also had a profound impact on Katie’s outlook on life. After becoming a mum in 2014, she said she began taking her mental and physical health much more seriously.
Katie explained that she strongly believes in personal responsibility when it comes to well-being. She said: “I’ve always been a massive advocate for accountability. It’s treating your mental and physical health a bit like a job. If you don’t manage life in that way, life starts to manage you.”
Her commitment to a healthier lifestyle has produced some surprising results. During an appearance on Katherine Ryan’s podcast, Katie revealed she had recently been told her biological age was just 22 — something she admitted completely shocked her.
The couple once considered expanding their family with a third child, but those plans changed after Katie needed emergency eye surgery connected to the injuries she sustained in the devastating acid attack she survived in 2008.
Although she briefly thought about IVF, Katie ultimately decided she didn’t want to go through further hospital treatments.
Instead, the family recently welcomed a different kind of new arrival — a rescue puppy named Sugar.
