EAMONN Holmes is said to be left feeling “angry and blindsided” by Ruth Langsford’s divorce statement.
A friend close to TV presenter Eamonn, 64, said “it was awful for him” after he learned of her plan just hours before the statement was released on Saturday afternoon.
A spokesperson told fans about their split in a short but sweet statement.
It read: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”
But Eamonn is reportedly left “angry and baffled” at her decision to share the news.
“Eamonn was left blindsided, it was awful for him,” a friend of the star told the Mail.
“He literally found out about it a very short time before it was published – you’re talking hours.”
They added: “It all seems a little bizarre given that the statement said they were hoping to keep it amicable.
“Eamonn wanted no part of it, he couldn’t see any reason why you would release that statement.
“It was wholly written and signed off by Ruth and her team.
“In the end he had no power over it whatsoever.”
The Sun contacted reps for Eamonn and Ruth.
The Sun exclusively revealed on Saturday that Ruth and Eamonn – at one point a fan favourite partnership on This Morning – were set to divorce after 14 years of marriage.
They first got together in 1997 after being introduced via mutual pals, and share one son, Jack, together.
On Tuesday, Eamonn said the support shown by fans following the announcement had “meant so much” to himself and Ruth.
He told GB News: “Just before we move on we’d just like to thank people for your support for Ruth and I over the last few days as to the news of our separation.
“Your support for both of us is very much appreciated.”
The broadcaster said it had been an “emotional weekend” as he spoke of the joy at seeing his beloved Manchester United win the FA Cup Final.
Pals told how the couple drifted apart in recent months and Eamonn had moved out of the mansion they shared in Surrey.
Their last social media post where they were seen together was in July 2022, with the duo playing out a skit to promote her Feeling Fabulous event.
However, Ruth recently visited him when he had a spell in hospital and had helped nurse him back to health.
She has confided in her closest friends that there is no way back to the marriage after their careers went separate ways.
The source added: “All of their friends are devastated at this and have been rallying round sending messages and offering support.
“Eamonn and Ruth share many of the same friends but nobody is taking sides in any of this, all they care about is that Eamonn and Ruth are both okay at what is obviously a really, really hard time.”
Eamonn married his first wife Gabrielle in 1985.
The couple have grown-up kids Declan, Rebecca and Niall but separated in 1994.
Eamonn met Ruth in 1997 when mutual friends introduced them.
They dated for over a decade before he proposed. In 2002, Ruth gave birth to their son, Jack.
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 conjugals,” 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 makes his debut 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 27 year relationship
