Saira Khan: ‘I’m the wife Eamonn’s always wanted!’
Saira Khan tells us about her radio show with Eamonn Holmes – the co-host she describes as the perfect ‘work husband’…
Chatty and outspoken in equal measures, Loose Women star and former Apprentice contestant Saira Khan has found another place to air her forthright views, as well as that contagious laugh! The 48-year-old mum-oftwo is co-hosting a show on talkRADIO – often with Eamonn Holmes – and is clearly relishing every second. Here, she talks about the laughs, as well as the serious stuff (Muslim Saira recently argued onair why it’s vital Muslim women should remove their veils in court). And she also reveals how her husband of 14 years, Steve, and Eamonn’s wife, Ruth, really feel about them sharing their marital secrets with the nation... Saira, we’re loving you on talkRadio, especially when you’re on air with Eamonn! Thank you! It covers current affairs, but what we do a little differently is bring in our own life experience. The other day, we were discussing Brexit. When Brexit comes up, people run for the hills. But I talk about knowing Albanians that are really grateful to be here, using my own experience to back up my views. Then we ask listeners what they think. Eamonn and I will talk about anything. We reveal a lot about our lives – probably to the detriment of our partners!
How would you describe your relationship?
We have great chemistry. He’s an Irish man and I’m an Asian woman, but we have common ground – such as the fact that neither of us was brought up with a silver spoon in our mouth. We’re just like an old married couple. It’s not like work, we crack up every time we get together. He usually says something about Ruth! Eamonn calls me his ‘work wife’ and I buy him melon fingers in return. I’m the wife that he’s always wanted. I’m joking, of course!
‘We reveal a lot about our lives – probably to the detriment of our partners!’
You’ve also said Eamonn is the biggest gossip ever...
He is! But also, loyal and trustworthy. If he and I gossip (which we definitely do every single day), there is no way he’ll share what we say. We have this mutual respect for each other. It’s just that sometimes we forget we’re in a public place when we discuss these things!
You guys spill a lot about your other halves – hasn’t Eamonn admitted Ruth’s ‘not a good gossip until she starts drinking gin’?!
Oh, I know! He really makes fun of Ruth – who I’m great friends with, too. They’re made for each other – they’re both so funny. We see them as husband and wife on TV, but radio gives him the freedom to embellish on stories. We all know now, for example, that Ruth snores and he has to go to another room to get any kip. Also, that she’s a complete technophobe and loves cleaning. I do the same with my husband, Steve, though.
What are your co-host’s most annoying habits – and yours?
Eamonn’s always watching the clock, and I’m always wanting one more question. He’ll shoot me a look like, ‘I will shut you down if you don’t stop talking right now!’ But no, we look out for each other.
Do you find it more relaxing doing radio, or is it just different to TV?
It’s refreshing, in that nobody can see you! It can be quite scary, though, because talking to nobody, talking into a void, is quite hard. But to build up a strong relationship with listeners, where people can’t see you, and just go by your voice and opinions is a huge achievement.
What’s been one of your most memorable programmes so far?
Whenever Eamonn makes me laugh. We were singing one day, and he literally just stopped the track and said, ‘ You know, I have never met anyone that sings in an Asian accent…’ Then he did an impression of one, a bad one – and, well, at my age you have to be careful because the bladder just goes. I had to leave the room, because I was in absolute stitches!
It must be really fun being part of the Loose Women crew, too...
Aren’t they great? Those women are iconic – their life experiences and their friendships, it’s a real sisterhood. I love them all, for very different reasons. We have a laugh together, and we also discuss serious topics, too.