It is rare for Eamonn Holmes to be lost for words. Known for his sharp wit and steadfast presence on screen, the television presenter’s latest updates are heart-wrenching. Now 66, and after “two years” of life shaped by his health, Holmes has frankly discussed the reality of relying on carers all day and the limits his condition imposes.
Discover our latest podcast
"I'm sick. I'm in a wheelchair. That's been horrendous to deal with for two years. Certainly I don't think TV wants to know you when, I mean there's nothing you and I are talking and no one can there's anything wrong but I can't get up," he laid bare on the Session 7 podcast.
Once the anchor of lively debates, Holmes’s world has narrowed to new routines that revolve around doctors, support, and acceptance – all against a backdrop of personal and professional upheaval.
From TV mainstay to living with pain
Once the reliable presence on This Morning and later, on GB News, Holmes now faces a very different daily experience. His health issues began with a dislocated pelvis, leading to three slipped discs, chronic nerve pain, and the need for major spinal and neck surgery in 2023. That surgery, sadly, brought him little relief. During recovery, a sudden fall down the stairs at his Weybridge home resulted in a fractured shoulder, setting back his already slow progress. Since then, he has used a wheelchair, depending on carers “throughout the day.” He confesses:
“I need help getting out of this chair. I have to have carers throughout the day but once I'm sitting down... I can do everything.”
Personal upheaval: Ruth Langsford “broken” after separation
Holmes’s struggles haven’t been limited to his physical health. In May 2024, he and Ruth Langsford, his partner of 27 years and wife for 14, publicly announced their separation—a shock that rippled across TV land and beyond. Their son Jack, now 23, finds himself at the intersection of massive family changes. The emotional toll has been brutal. Langsford told the Daily Mail:
"I had a very happy marriage. Of course you question yourself, 'did I miss something, was I not aware, was I too busy?' But there's no point playing the blame game."
Her words, raw and full of sadness, continue:
"I just didn't think I'd find myself here, and I wasn't strong at the start. I was broken. Broken heart. Broken dreams. We all have an image of how we think our life and future is going to be. This wasn't mine. I was devastated. We had gone from being a couple, traversing the usual ups and downs of a marriage, to an abrupt end. It was a huge shock."
The public and private: What’s next for Eamonn?
Holmes’s candid disclosures highlight not just his own journey, but also the wider reality for disabled people in the public eye. He has drawn attention to society’s struggle to accommodate disability, even in simple ways, like finding accessible cinema seats. Despite everything, Holmes clings to routines and the support of new partner Katie Alexander. His recent tumble from a chair during live TV on GB News was a stark reminder for viewers: vulnerability doesn’t discriminate. Now, as fans and the industry alike watch with concern, it’s uncertain what role—if any—Holmes will play on screen in the coming years.
Read more:
"I try and look at it a slightly different way": Peter Andre opens up as Junior leaves home
“Please, let's not mention that name” Amanda Holden disrupts radio show amid Phillip Schofield row
Christina Applegate reveals she is now largely confined to her bed amid multiple sclerosis battle
Sources used:
Eamonn Holmes 'can't get up' and needs carers as he shares 'horrendous' health update
