Eamonn Holmes makes admission about 'tough year' as he moves on with new girlfriend

By Leah Stanfield, Assistant Showbiz Editor

Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes announced their split in May. (Image: Getty)

Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his challenging year after stepping out with his new girlfriend, Katie Alexander. The GB News presenter, 64, and Ruth Langsford announced their split in May after a 14-year marriage and more than 20 years together.

Eamonn and Katie made headlines this week as they attended their first public event together at the Irish Post Awards on Thursday evening.

An insider revealed to the Mirror: "While Eamonn waited for the ceremony to begin he enjoyed his dinner in the company of his new girlfriend Katie. The pair seemed relaxed and were inseparable."

After his split from Ruth and a bout of health struggles over the past year, Eamonn shared with The Sun: "It's been a tough year and I'll be glad to see the back of it."

He continued optimistically: "But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year."

Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes were married for 14 years. (Image: Getty)

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Eamonn and Katie's connection began on social media, with recent claims that they were in contact"12 years ago".

A source told the aforementioned publication: "We knew Eamonn and Katie got together via social media, but no one knew how far back they went.

"Ruth will be shocked they were in contact 12 years ago. I don't think she would have known."

Her legal team is reportedly meticulously constructing a "forensic" timeline of Eamonn's relationship with Katie as they gear up for divorce negotiations.

A source told the Mirror: "Ruth's legal team are compiling a forensically detailed account of Eamonn's relationship with Katie and when it started. Ruth's team are doing their due diligence ahead of the divorce proceedings. They are prepared to speak to people in Ruth and Eamonn's wider circle."

The insider also claimed: "Katie and Eamonn have been scrambling around to tell their respective exes that they were not romantically involved way back then."

It's believed that Ruth has engaged the services of top-tier lawyer Catherine Costley, who charges £400 an hour and has previously worked with the nation's leading divorce attorney, Baroness Fiona Shackleton. Shackleton famously represented the King during his separation from Diana and Sir Paul McCartney.

While the Loose Women panellist hasn't spoken directly about the split, she has made some cryptic remarks. While discussing hoarding on the ITV programme, she quipped: "I'm throwing out a lot of stuff out at the minute! " which prompted laughter from the studio audience.

Eamonn and Katie are believed to have been in a relationship for half a year and enjoyed a luxury Mediterranean cruise this past summer. Katie, a mother of three, had previously been married to George Alexander but the pair parted ways in 2022, with no suggestion that Eamonn played a role in their separation.