RUTH Langsford made comments Eamonn Holmes could ‘leave her for a younger woman’ in resurfaced clips following their shock split.
The beloved TV couple sent shockwaves to fans on Saturday when it was confirmed they would be divorcing after 14 years of marriage.
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The pair, both 64, have been together since 1997, but are believed to have grown apart as their careers went in different directions and the pressures of Eamonn’s long-standing back issues began to take their toll.
While sources have said they are ‘dedicated to making the split amicable’, Eamonn has already left the family home for a property nearby.
In light of the split, clips of Ruth discussing their marriage have resurfaced, with her joking on Loose Women back in 2022 Eamonn could leave her for someone younger.
In the frank chat on the ITV daytime show, Ruth admitted her ‘worst fear’ was Eamonn leaving her for someone her age, rather than younger.
In a discussion over partners cheating with people half their age, Ruth admitted: “See I think, people go, ‘Oh, you’d hate it if you were dumped for a younger woman’.
“I go, ‘No, I would hate it because…’ then I could do the whole cliché thing, ‘Oh, Eamonn is such a cliche, he’s going with a 25-year-old, how sad.’
“But then I think ‘No, the worst thing for me is if he went off with someone the same age’.”
“I think that is harder than being dumped for someone younger,” she added. “That’s my worst fear.”
Linda Robson reassured her that wouldn’t happen.
In another clip, which aired in 2019, Ruth joked she would become “the ultimate spiteful ex” when discussing Paul Hollywood and his then-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam.
Paul, 53, and Summer, 24, had a short lived romance, which soon became public knowledge when she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, resulting in the pair trading barbed jabs at each other on social media.
Eamonn, who was making a guest appearance on the show, enjoyed playful jabs with wife Ruth, putting themselves in the situation.
“People like you, huffing and puffing, going ‘well.’ Say I ran off with a 24-year-old?” he asked her.
But an unshaken Ruth simply declared: “Take him! Seriously, he’s yours.”
“I would be so spiteful. You wouldn’t want me,” she added.
“When you’re thinking of going off with that 24-year-old – could she make a bed? Could she make that hospital corner?” she later added.
“It is a joy to live in a house which is like a five star hotel because of you,” he sweetly added, before jabbing, ”You’re the best chamber maid ever.”
Now the pair are actually heading to divorce courts, with pals saying they have been separated for a year prior to the announcement.
They haven’t been seen publicly together since 2022.
Ruth will be absent from her position on Loose Women this week, while Eamonn is due to return to his GB News slot tomorrow.
It’s believed he will make a statement about the break-up on air.
A source said: “Eamonn is always frank on camera and knows it will be odd for him to discuss the day’s news without mentioning his split so he’ll say a few words.
“He is putting on a brave face and will be the true professional he always is. Focusing on work will be a welcome distraction.”
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 conjugals,” 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 makes his debut 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 27 year relationship
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