KERRY Katona has given her take on Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes’ shock split.
The Atomic Kitten songstress – who is engaged to fiance Ryan Mahoney and has been married three times – admitted she “felt bad” for Loose Women anchor Ruth, 64, who has hired a “fierce” divorce lawyer.
It came after mum-of-one Ruth sparked concern with her appearance in a recent social media post as images of her ex Eamonn, 64, on holiday with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander circulated.
Whole Again singer Kerry, 44, admitted she was “surprised” at GB News anchor Eamonn’s new relationship, noting it “hadn’t been long” since his break-up.
She told OK! Magazine: “I do feel bad for Ruth.
“If that’s the case, it can’t be nice seeing his new relationship everywhere. I think Ruth’s a really strong woman and has handled the whole situation with grace.
“But at the same time, I love Eamonn and he’s a good friend, so I would never want to speak negatively about him.
“Getting into a new relationship is sometimes the way people deal with things.”
The popstar then conceded: “I’ve done it myself, so I understand that coping strategy.”
Kerry has been in a relationship with fiance Ryan since 2019 and they got engaged the following year.
The I’m A Celeb star shares her girls Molly and Lilly-Sue with her first husband Brian McFadden. She was married to the ex Westlife star from 2002 to 2006.
She then went on to tie the knot with second husband Mark Croft.
They were married from 2007 to 2011 and they have two children together, Heidi, 17, and 15-year-old Max.
Kerry also has a daughter from her third marriage to the late George Kay – their 10-year-old Dylan Jorge, aka DJ.
Meanwhile, fans have speculated “you can tell that Ruth has been hurting” as she had attempted to maintain a cheery demeanour on and off-screen.
Last week, we reported how Eamonn had touched down in Ibiza with his marriage counsellor partner.
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.
A source then told MailOnline that Eamonn’s public holiday with his new girlfriend – which saw him arrive at the airport with his crutches and walker – has left Ruth “shocked.”
The former TV couple shocked fans in May when they revealed their divorce, after announcing they were “going in different directions.”
Previously, fans thought they had pinpointed the signs of their break-up, which included a lack of social media snaps together.
Revealing their split after 14 years in an exclusive statement to The Sun on Sunday, their spokesperson said: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”
The pair – who share son Jack – first got together in 1996 and tied the knot in 2010.
