EAMONN Holmes’ new close friend has reportedly told pals she’s “in it for the long haul” following his split from Ruth Langsford.
Eamonn and Ruth shocked fans across the UK when it was confirmed last month they would be divorcing after 27 years together.
It was added they had silently split months before the news broke.
Since then, GB News presenter Eamonn has been seen spending time with Katie Alexander, a 42-year-old relationship counsellor from Yorkshire.
The pair have been seen multiple times together over the past 12 months, with Katie helping Eamonn navigate his split with Ruth.
But, according to The Mirror, friends have pointed out to Katie that their friendship has only got so close since the break-up.
“She is helping Eamonn through the tough times but doesn’t want to be seen as a marriage wrecker,” the source said, adding the friendship had grown but the marriage had been over for a while.
“She wants to help Eamonn with his situation and their friendship has grown over a period of time,” they added. “She feels she will be close to him for a long period and is in this for the long haul.”
Katie met Eamonn on X/Twitter in 2015 after she commented on a post and it sparked a conversation.
Last October he attended a charity fundraiser event in Yorkshire, close to Katie’s home, and became a patron.
The counsellor has worked for the charity as a therapist.
He has also treated Katie to a Beyonce concert, a visit to Center Parcs and tickets for a Manchester United game — while Katie has been seen in his native Belfast.
Ruth and Eamonn have been reportedly separated for over a year, with the couple disappearing from each other’s social media for more than two years before their divorce announcement.
They had been together for 27 years, and had a 14 year marriage.
Ruth has since taken time away from Loose Women in order to deal with her heartbreak away from the public eye.
She has since extended her time off.
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.
