Eamonn Holmes returns to TV after sudden exit and falling ill on screen and missing show
EAMONN Holmes has returned to TV after his sudden GB News exit, which saw him fall ill on screen yesterday.
Breakfast anchor Eamonn, 64, sparked concern when he suddenly quit his presenting duties in the middle of show.
The presenter, who has been struggling with ill-health in recent years, left viewers worried when he disappeared live on-air.
But, during this morning’s appearance, he brushed off any worries and failed to address his abrupt departure.
The veteran news personality was joined by Ellie Costello behind the desk, with the pair jumping straight into the day’s headlines.
It came after Eamonn admitted that he was “not ok” at last week’s TRIC Awards, which saw him arrive alone in a wheelchair, following his split from wife Ruth Langsford.
Eamonn was presenting his GB News Breakfast show on Tuesday morning when he became unwell.
The broadcaster went missing mid interview with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health Maria Caulfield.
Eamonn was noticeably quiet throughout the segment, leaving his co-host Isabel Webster to ask the questions.
He then left the desk while off-screen, as Isabel continued to present the final 90 minutes without him.
Eamonn’s absence went unexplained at the time, but later a GB News spokesperson said that the star was forced to leave early due to ill health.
They said: “Eamonn had to finish a little earlier today as he was feeling unwell. He hopes to be back tomorrow.’
Eamonn – who is struggling with chronic pain – had a double hip replacement in 2016, followed by surgery last year, which left him using a wheelchair.
The TV star was nominated for the Best News Presenter and Best News Broadcast at last week’s TRIC Awards- and was even considering not attending due to his ill-health.
He arrived at the glitzy event in a wheelchair and later used a walker to get around.
After GB News were announced as Best News programme, Eamonn told the audience: “I wasn’t going to come, but I’ve got this new chair with all these gadgets.
“I had an operation a year and a half ago, and two things went wrong so I have two things in my back I don’t want.
“So I’ll happily accept this.”
Eamonn and Ruth announced that they had gone their separate ways last month.
Speaking about their split at the awards ceremony, Eamonn said: “I’m not OK. This is not a good time at all.”
He added to The Mirror: “It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.”
The TRIC Awards in 2022 was the last time that he was spotted with Ruth.
While Eamonn’s close friend and co-host Isabel Webster, 41, also opened up about his “difficult” split from Ruth Langsford saying “he’s the strongest person I know”.
She said she has shown her support for the pair since their shock split.
The Sun caught up with Isabel on the red carpet outside the TRIC Awards and asked how Eamonn has been getting on.
When asked if she has support him during his split from Ruth, Isabel said: “100 per cent.
“I love Ruth and I love Eamonn and I’ve got nothing but love for them.
“I wish them all the very best – divorce is difficult for anyone.
“When you’re in the public eye, it’s got to be even more difficult
“I’ve been in touch with Ruth but you’ll have to ask her about her divorce.”
Ruth and Eamonn Relationship Timeline
Before the shock split announcement, Ruth and Eamonn seemed like one of the strongest couples on UK TV – even with their signature bickering style.
Here’s how their romance played out…
1997 – The couple first meet after being introduced by mutual friends, two years after Eamonn splits from his first wife, Gabrielle, with whom he has three children.
1997-2002 – To be respectful to Gabrielle, the couple kept their relationship out of the limelight. Ruth told Daily Mail: “I thought it spoke volumes about the sort of man he was, the sort of father he was and the integrity he had. It made me love him more, not less.”
2002 – Ruth and Eamonn welcome their son, Jack, to the family.
2005 – Eamonn finalises his divorce with Gabrielle.
2006 – The pair begin to host Friday episodes of This Morning together.
2010 – Eamonn proposes to Ruth while at the Cheltenham Races, after asking Ruth’s mother for her hand.
June 2010 – Eamonn and Ruth marry at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire.
2016 – Eamonn undergoes a double hip replacement in the first of many health battles.
June 2019 – On This Morning, Ruth and Eamonn say the secret to their happy marriage. Eamonn credits “compromise, consideration and lots of conjugal,” while Ruth said it was “laughter and an equal marriage”.
November 2020 – Ruth and Eamonn are replaced on their regular Friday slot by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in a ‘show shake-up’.
December 2021 – After a year of being moved to the bank holiday presenting slot, both Eamonn and Ruth left This Morning.
January 2022 – Eamonn debuted on GB News, while Ruth stayed with ITV in her long-standing role on Loose Women.
September 2022 – Eamonn undergoes spinal surgery after years of back issues including a trapped sciatic nerve.
November 2022 – Eamonn falls down the stairs of his Surrey home with Ruth and breaks his shoulder, requiring a new operation.
September 2023 – Eamonn has a spine and neck stretching procedure as part of his year-long recovery.
May 2024 – Ruth and Eamonn announce they have split after 14 years of marriage and a 27-year relationship.