Eamonn Holmes was left ‘blindsided’ and ‘furious’ by the announcement of their split from estranged wife Ruth Langsford.
While the television presenter thanked his fans for their support following the revelation that they had split after 27 years, friends of the star said he was ‘angry and bewildered’ by her decision to share the news.
He learned of her plan just hours before the statement was released on Saturday afternoon through Ms Langsford’s spokesman, who said: ‘Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed that their marriage is over and they are divorcing.’
The announcement was described as a ‘joint statement’.
A friend of Holmes told the Mail: ‘Eamonn was blinded, it was terrible for him.
Eamonn Holmes pictured on This Morning with Ruth Langsford in 2021. Holmes was left ‘blindsided’ and ‘furious’ by estranged wife Mrs Langsford’s announcement of their split
While the television presenter thanked his fans for their support following the revelation that they had split after 27 years, friends of the star said he was ‘angry and bewildered’ at her decision to share the news (Picture: Holmes on GB News with Isabel Webster in KEN)
Holmes pictured with Ms Langsford after they announced their engagement in 2009. He learned of her plan to share their divorce just hours before the statement was released through Ms Langsford’s spokesman on Saturday afternoon.
Holmes pictured with Mrs Langford on the presenter’s sofa ahead of their wedding. The recent announcement read: ‘Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed that their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.’ The announcement was described as a ‘joint statement’
Eamonn and Ruth (pictured together in 2007) presented This Morning together for 14 years and were a regular on the show on both Fridays and during the school holidays.
“He literally discovered it very shortly before it was published – you’re talking hours.
“It all seems a bit bizarre considering the statement said they hoped to keep the matter amicable.
‘Eamonn wanted nothing to do with it, he couldn’t see any reason why you would release that statement.
‘It was written and signed entirely by Ruth and her team.
“In the end, he had no power over it whatsoever.”
The Mail can also reveal that Holmes has confided how “very bad” things have been with his wife in recent weeks, while his colleagues at GB News said they have been worried about him lately.
They said he was ‘down’, but blamed it on being in pain.
The couple pictured together at the TRIC Awards in London in 2022. A friend of Holmes told the Mail: ‘Eamonn was blinded, it was horrible for him. He literally discovered it very shortly before it was published – you’re talking hours.”
A friend of Holmes added: ‘Eamonn wanted nothing to do with it, he couldn’t see any reason why you would release that statement. It was written and signed entirely by Ruth and her team.” (photo: the couple at the National Television Awards in London in 2014)
Holmes pictured with Ms Langsford (left) and Ms Webster (right) at the TRIC Awards in London in 2022. Standing alongside his co-host Ms Webster, the 64-year-old broadcaster said: ‘Just before we go on, we’d like to thank people for your support for Ruth and me in recent days regarding the news of our divorce’
The Mail can also reveal that Holmes (pictured, in his early presenting days) has confided how “very bad” things have been with his wife in recent weeks, while his colleagues at GB News said they have been concerned lately made about him.
Holmes pictured leaving GB News on his first day at the broadcaster in 2022. One of his colleagues said last night: ‘Eamonn was the cheeky star of daytime television, he was a confident and vocal member of the team’
One of his colleagues said last night: ‘Eamonn was the cheeky star of daytime television, he was a confident and vocal member of the team.
‘But he’s clearly been struggling lately. His marriage falling apart and the pain he suffered a few years ago made him increasingly grumpy.’
The Northern Irish television presenter spoke publicly about the split for the first time on his breakfast show on GB News yesterday morning, while still wearing his wedding ring on his left finger.
Sitting alongside his co-host Isabel Webster, the 64-year-old broadcaster said: ‘Just before we go on, we would like to thank people for your support of Ruth and me over the last few days in relation to the news of our divorce.
“Your support for both of us is greatly appreciated.”