Eamonn and Ruth split after 14 years
FORMER This Morning husband and wife presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford yesterday announced they have split up after nearly 14 years of marriage.
The TV golden couple, both 64, and much loved by viewers, had been together for 13 years before tying the knot but have now started divorce proceedings.
A spokesman for the couple said: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”
The couple have one son, Jack, 22.
A source said that Eamonn and Ruth are “determined to stay friends and keep things amicable” but their careers had taken them in “different directions” and “it’s a very sorry tale”.
They first met in 1997 when they were introduced by mutual friend, television presenter Sally Meen. They initially kept their relationship under wraps, out of respect for Eamonn’s first wife, Gabrielle Holmes, with whom he has three children.
Eamonn and Gabrielle had married in 1985 but separated in the mid-90s, with the divorce not finalised until 2005.
Ruth and Eamonn married in a lavish ceremony at the grand 19th-century Hampshire hotel, The Elvetham, on June 26, 2010.
Among the guests were TV presenters Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Gloria Hunniford,
Jeremy Kyle, Christine Lampard, Footballers’ Wives star Zoe Lucker and then-manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Talking about why the couple initially kept their relationship out the limelight, Ruth said in 2017: “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.”
The pair began presenting ITV’S flagship daytime show together on Fridays and during the school holidays in 2006, and for the next 15 years were adored by legions of fans thanks to the chemistry between them on the sofa.
They were also renowned for their bickering, much of which took place in full glare of the cameras during their stint, but the duo had always insisted their disagreements came from a place of affection. Despite their popularity they were axed from This Morning in 2021, and replaced by Dermot O’leary and Alison Hammond.
Ruth continues to present Loose Women, having begun on the show in 1999, while Eamonn went on to become the GB News breakfast anchor. The pair also presented Channel 5 programmes together, including How The Other Half Lives, Do the Right Thing with Eamonn and Ruth and Eamonn & Ruth’s 7 Year Itch.
They also appeared as one of the pairs on Celebrity Gogglebox.
In 2018, Eamonn was made an OBE for services to broadcasting.
But in the past two years he has battled chronic pain and had to use a wheelchair and crutches. In 2022, he revealed that he lost “full mobility” after undergoing spinal surgery in an attempt to address his severe back pain.
He is still recovering from the surgery and an injury to his shoulder, which saw him take four months off work at the end of last year.
Last week Ruth spoke about the impact on their marriage for the first time. Speaking to Woman’s Weekly, she said: “I don’t know how much Eamonn’s mobility will improve.we live in hope.
“He does the physio but there might have to be some acceptance that this might never be 100 per cent right.
“With any care situation – and there are millions of carers in this country – it isn’t always easy. It’s testing but we manage as a family.”
The pair, who live in Surrey, have not commented beyond the joint statement.
‘Ruth and Eamonn have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing...’