Ruth Langsford opens up about 'testing time' with Eamonn Holmes before announcing divorce
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have shocked fans with an unexpected announcement of their separation just days after Ruth commented on the state of their marriage. The couple made the shocking revelation in a surprise statement via their representative on Saturday.
"Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing," a spokesman told The Sun on Sunday.
Eagle-eyed fans had already been questioning their relationship due to the fact the presenting pair hadn't been seen together over the last few months.
In the midst of all the speculation, Loose Women star Ruth, 64, gave an awkwardly-timed interview to a magazine. In it, she confessed she was facing a 'testing time' with her husband.
Days before the end of her marriage was announced, Ruth admitted that she feared Eamonn might never fully recover from his chronic back pain, a condition the GB News presenter has battled for the past two years. Surgery and daily physio sessions have offered limited relief for the 64 year old presenter's excruciating condition, reports the Mirror.
Ruth 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% 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," she added.
Speaking in Woman's Weekly about the importance of good health and ageing, she added: "I look at Eamonn, who's had his health and back problems, and it makes you realise how important your health is."
The interview is still available in shops after going to print just days before the couple announced in a joint statement they had split.
Eamonn had previously shared how Ruth had helped him during his time of need as his health conditioned worsened and he suffered a terrifying fall.
Recalling a serious accident as he headed to bed one night, Eamonn said: "Suddenly it was as if someone had shot my left knee from behind. It literally collapsed without any warning. I was on a curve of the stairs, and I just went back down the stairs, boom, boom, boom down the whole staircase until I hit the stone floor in the hallway."
He continued: "Blood was pouring out my mouth, and a bone was sticking out my shoulder.
"Ruth came rushing down the stairs. She kept saying, 'You're fine, everything's okay, you're fine.' I said, 'Ruthie, there is a bone sticking out of my shoulder - I'm not fine.'"
Eamonn said he felt "hopeless" as he moved to a private rehabilitation centre for six weeks, but wife Ruth stayed by his side to help him recover.
TV icon Eamonn Holmes is enduring physiotherapy sessions nearly every day in an effort to overcome the mobility issues he's been facing. Despite undergoing back surgery to address herniated discs, his recovery suffered a blow when he sustained a shoulder injury from a fall last year.
Recent snaps capture the broadcaster navigating Notting Hill with the aid of two walking sticks and then a wheelchair post-physio.
Ruth and Eamonn first crossed paths in 1997 when they were introduced by mutual friends. They dated for over a decade before Eamonn popped the question and they tied the knot in 2010.
When asked about the secret to their lasting relationship, Ruth shared: "I think always respect, mutual respect. And we laugh a lot. I think love and lust and everything's wonderful at the start of a relationship. But really...you've got to have that connection as friends where you feel comfortable with each other."
