RUTH Langsford put on a brave face as she returned to Loose Women today following her split from Eamonn Holmes.
Presenter Ruth, 64, whose break-up with her husband Eamonn, also 64, was revealed by The Sun in May, was welcomed back with a round of applause from the studio.
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Still wearing her wedding ring, Ruth avoided addressing her comeback as she introduced the show’s topics as usual, reading from the autocue.
But after she’d gotten everything out of the way, Coleen Nolan jumped in with: “Can I just say I am so so happy that you’re back!”
Janet Street-Porter repeated, “Thank god,” three times before joking: “I was left with her – and her,” gesturing towards her co-stars.
Ruth replied: “I’m sorry Janet, I won’t do it again.”
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It marked her first appearance on the show in two months, when the TV presenters announced their divorce in May.
A friend previously told The Mirror she would not be discussing her separation on the programme.
They said: “It has been a tough few weeks but now she feels it is time for her to get back to Loose Women.
“It is a job she loves doing and even though the split has been very tough, life must go on.
“Just don’t expect any big news or revelations about the divorce, she wants to keep that private.”
The couple’s 15-year union was said to have rapidly deteriorated after their departure from This Morning in 2021.
Eamonn has since been spotted with blonde beauty Katie Alexander, 42, after we told of their close friendship.
The two have been on numerous outings together in the last year.
Eamonn treated her to a Beyonce concert, Center Parcs and a Manchester United game — while Katie has been seen in his native Belfast.
Katie met Eamonn on X/Twitter in 2015 after she commented on a post and it sparked a conversation.
And relationship counsellor Katie, who is said to be head over heels for the presenter, has been staying with him in his luxury apartment.
A source told us: “The fact remains that he would still be in the marital home, being cared for by Ruth, if she didn’t find out what had gone on behind her back.
“There is a lot still to spill out on what has really gone on during Eamonn’s marriage. It will all come out in the wash.
“And even he will raise eyebrows at some of the details surrounding his new confidant Katie, who has told pals she’s ‘madly in love’ with him.
“Watch this space.”
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 conjugal,” 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 debuted 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 a 27-year relationship.
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