Eamonn Holmes uses walking frame as he makes chirpy appearance at swanky Christmas lunch

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes attended the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel where he used a walking aid while on the red carpet

Eamonn Holmes looked in good spirits amid his chronic pain battle as he leaned on walking frame during a lavish Christmas lunch.

The former This Morning star, 65, looked dapper in a black suit and tie as he smiled for the cameras at the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Eamonn walked the red carpet and posed for photos before indulging in some festive food.

The Northern Irish TV presenter, who ended his marriage with Ruth Langsford a number of months ago, recently admitted that he can't wait for his "tough year" to be over.

The GB News star left fans reeling when he split from his wife of 14 years Ruth, who he had been with for more than two decades. It was reported that he had promptly moved on with new girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, as the split with Ruth no longer seems amicable.

Eamonn, who has also long struggled with his health, especially in the past year, revealed: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it." The Belfast born presenter added: "But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year."

The TV has suffered from a number of health conditions in recent years and has expressed his fears that he may never be able to walk unaided again. He refused to have his hip replaced for three decades before finally undergoing surgery on both in 2016. Eamonn went ahead with the major op to tackle the chronic hip, leg and back pain which caused him 'sleepless nights' and 'not being able to drive, let alone do anything more physically active'.

He made a good recovery from his double hip replacement and went on to lose three stone in a battle to boost his health, but said he just wished he had had it done sooner. "Waiting was the worst decision I ever made," he told the Telegraph. "After having both of mine replaced aged 55, I haven't had a single regret: in fact, it's been life-changing."

The most serious of Eamonn's health woes began in early 2021. The broadcaster soon shared his chronic pain with his social media followers, writing: "A month ago I did something to my back. I don't know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I've got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven't got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can't sleep at night."

The star went onto discover he had three slipped discs, which are caused by the soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulging outwards. They were affecting movement in Eamonn's right leg, meaning he had to walk with a stick. He had epidural injections to manage his pain, saying they 'helped to a degree but didn't cure the problem'.

Eamonn flew over to Belfast to host an event for pal Gloria Hunniford in May 2022 and ended up in A&E after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues. He spent nine days in hospital at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors feeling surgery would be too risky, returning with problems in his left leg as well as his right.

He then received advice from an unlikely source - S Club 7 original Jo O'Meara. "She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon," he told Mail Online. "I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate."

Eamonn went under the knife in September 2022, saying: "It went well - the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant. The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly."

From back stretching to daily physiotherapy and ice-cold showers, Eamonn has thrown everything he can at his body in his quest to get better. Recent photos showed the star working with a physio in London's Notting Hill, first using two sticks and later a wheelchair. He was also seen pictured using a mobility scooter on holiday in the US.

However, the broadcaster's mobility has been slow to improve and he has voiced his fears that he will never be able to walk again unaided. "I have tried every treatment but you go: 'Maybe I'll never get out of it,' which is a harsh reality to face," Eamonn said.

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