Crespo-Mara Returns to TF1 News, Emotional Tribute to Late Husband
Journalist Resumes Duties After Two-Week Absence Following Thierry Ardisson’s Passing
After a two-week hiatus, journalist Audrey Crespo-Mara returned to the helm of TF1’s evening news program on Friday. Dressed in somber black, she displayed a composed demeanor while presenting the “20 Heures” broadcast.
A Grateful Return
Visibly moved but maintaining her professionalism, Crespo-Mara expressed her gratitude to the TF1 teams and viewers for their unwavering support during her absence. The broadcast marked a poignant moment as she resumed her role.
“Permettez-moi de remercier les équipes qui m’accompagnent ici à TF1 pour leur précieux soutien. Et merci à vous pour vos messages, si nombreux, en hommage à l’homme en noir.”
—Audrey Crespo-Mara, Journalist
The journalist’s return comes shortly after the passing of her husband, television host and producer Thierry Ardisson, who died on July 14th at the age of 76. His funeral was held in Paris three days later.
La fin émouvante du JT de 20H ou Audrey Crespo-Mara remercie les équipes de TF1 et les téléspectateurs pour leur soutien après le décès de “l’homme en noir” son époux, Thierry Ardisson.
pic.twitter.com/zQJW7aPS1N— NEWS TV RÉAL (@NewsTVReal) July 25, 2025
The loss of Thierry Ardisson, often dubbed “the man in black,” has deeply affected the French media landscape. His career spanned decades, producing and hosting numerous popular television shows.
In 2023, the average viewing time for the TF1 “20 Heures” news program was approximately 4.9 million viewers daily, highlighting the significant audience Crespo-Mara leads. [Source: Médiamétrie, estimated figures for 2023 viewership trends in France] The emotional weight of her personal circumstances while delivering the news underscores the resilience expected of public figures.
