The sad truth about Eamonn Holmes & Katie Alexander’s ‘unbreakable relationship’ by friend who knows him best
Eamonn Holmes and his new girlfriend Katie Alexander are sitting on a table in the Grosvenor House ballroom.
They are alone, surrounded by a sea of empty tables, the rest of the guests hovering on the balcony above.
Eamonn puts his arm around Katie. She smiles and kisses him on the cheek.
It’s a heartwarming sight and I’m relieved to see Eamonn looking so happy after a year of health woes and personal torment.
A “troublemaker” on TV bosses’ z list
I met GB News presenter Eamonn nearly a decade ago after working with him on ITV‘s This Morning where I provided their weekly showbiz round-up.
He has always been incredibly generous and encouraging, one of the nicest men in showbusiness, mentoring me as I moved from reporter to showbiz editor at a national newspaper.
Which is why I was deeply saddened to see Eamonn endure a year of hell in 2024 as his health deteriorated following three slipped discs, spinal surgery, a bad case of shingles and multiple falls.
One which lead to a bone sticking out of his shoulder and forcing him to heartbreakingly miss his own mother’s funeral.
And of course he split from long term wife Ruth Langsford.
His world was truly falling apart.
A few months later it emerged he was in a relationship with counsellor Katie Alexander – a mum-of-three who had also endured a recent, painful break-up.
The pair were villainised and hounded by internet trolls.
Most recently Eamonn was declared a “troublemaker” who is now on TV executives z list after he spoke out against Phillip Schofield’s behaviour with an younger ITV employee.
There have been wild stories about the pair moving in together and wanting to flaunt their romance in front of Loose Woman Ruth, as if they are living some kind of opulent, self-indulgent teenage romance.
Well, I can reveal that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When I hang out with the couple at the Irish Post Awards in November it’s clear the scrutiny their relationship has faced has taken its toll – Katie is close to tears as she tells me about the death threats she has suffered after news about their relationship was made public.
Eamonn puts on a brave face but I can tell he’s not his usual self.
A man who is normally cheeky and full of banter is withdrawn and cautious.
‘Katie wheeled me in’
“We came in the back door,” he says, half smiling, “to avoid having our photograph taken. Katie wheeled me in.”
When I assure them our conversation is off record, the mood lightens and we laugh about how ridiculous the showbiz world can be, how divorced from reality everything is, how cruel strangers can be about a situation they know nothing about.
He tells me: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it.
“But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.”
Up until this point the couple have stayed away from showbiz parties not wanting to be disrespectful to Ruth. And that is still central to the way they lead their lives.
Eamonn has huge respect for Ruth – the mother of his 22-year-old son Jack – and hopes and believes that they can one day be friends.
The former power couple of daytime television announced they would be divorcing after 14 years of marriage in May – with friends of Ruth telling me that communication between the pair had stooped to an all time low.
She too has not spoken about the marriage breakdown, maintaining a dignified silence while being supported by pals including Coleen Nolan and Rylan.
The couple first met in 1996 before marrying in 2010 and going on to front a string of shows including This Morning.
When I was working on This Morning delivering their showbiz round-up – Eamonn was always on hand to give me tips and told me to keep going despite my terror of live TV.
Secret personal heartache
Yes he could and still does have an opinion, but that’s what makes him so entertaining.
In a time when people have to watch what they say, he is a breath of fresh air.
And on this cold, winter night at the Irish Post Awards I see a couple who are very comfortable together, and have given each other immense support over the past year, as they both overcome break-ups and try to forge new life paths.
Katie suffered her own personal heartache as she split from her husband and father of her two children in 2022.
Last year, reports claimed that Eamonn and Katie were moving in together.
But the truth is a sadder, more solitary affair – especially for Eamonn, who lives alone in South West London – 200 miles away from Katie who is based in the small West Yorkshire town of Mirfield.
The couple make sure to see each other every couple of weeks – which is just not enough for either of them.
Katie has children of secondary school age and she naturally is devoted to them and their needs as teenagers.
She also has her full time counselling career which is demanding on her time.
Add to all that Eamonn’s disability means he just can’t hop on a train.
They enjoyed a cruise around the Mediterranean in May where Katie was seen wheeling Eamonn on and off a ferry.
Katie’s vow of silence
But future holidays are on hold because it is too difficult for the GB News presenter in his condition.
The 65-year-old’s health is so dire he “can no longer walk or look after himself”.
Having surgery back in 2022 for a slipped disc and a double hip-replacement in 2016 means he is unable to walk unaided.
He now relies increasingly on his wheelchair and admitted at the start of the year that he may never walk again.
Still, the couple remain optimistic, and while their time together is limited they both believe that the time they do have together is valued and precious.
Having been approached many times to do an interview, with big pay cheques offered, Katie refuses to speak about life with Eamonn.
After the abuse she has received most women would run a mile, but Katie has stuck by her man.
That is something that Eamonn will never forget and is one of the many reasons why I think they are both in it for the long haul.