Why is Eamonn Holmes in a wheelchair?
EAMONN Holmes’ divorce from This Morning co-host Ruth Langsford has dominated headlines.
However, the presenter has also been battling with a crippling condition that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair for mobility. But what condition does he have?
Why is Eamonn Holmes in a wheelchair?
Eamonn has said that he needs a wheelchair because he is suffering with intense back pain.
His chronic condition began unexpectedly in 2021 and soon he was unable to walk without a walking stick to help him.
The pain was caused by a dislocated pelvis, which later resulted in him sustaining three slipped disks.
While recovering from surgery, he fell down the stairs at his home in Weybridge and broke his shoulder.
A further spine and neck procedure in 2023 did little to alleviate Eamonn’s pain.
The TV presenter admitted that the pain has led to him having countless “sleepless nights”.
Before announcing their split, Ruth and her soon-to-be ex-husband had a big disagreement about him taking painkillers.
Whilst presenting This Morning, Ruth said that she was uneasy when it comes to the amount of medication needed to relieve his pain.
Then Eamonn asked: “But if the tablets would help me, why wouldn’t you let me take them?”
Ruth answered: “Because then I would worry about you taking too many of them. So it affects your partner, it affects families, you can’t join in with things.
“It’s a really difficult one.”
Who is Katie Alexander?
Katie is a marriage counsellor, who has been dating Eamonn since his split with Ruth.
She is 22 years younger than Eamonn and was spotted in Ibiza, with her new partner in September 2024.
The 42-year-old was spotted pushing the TV presenter in his wheelchair.
A source told the Sun: “Eamonn and Katie have tried to keep their passionate relationship quiet but they were finally on full public display.
“It’s remarkable how quickly they have struck up a tight bond.
When did Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Lansbury announce their divorce?
Eamonn and Ruth announced their split in May 2024.
Although they said that they parted as friends, Ruth has since hired a “fierce” divorce lawyer.
They first got married in 2010, but had been dating since 1991 after being introduced by mutual friends.
While the news came as a shock to fans, the couple hadn’t actually made a joint public appearance since 2022.
They were last seen together in a skit, which they posted on Instagram.
Ruth had previously opened up about how Eamonn’s chronic pain had put a strain on the couple.
She said: “You can’t help, but when you’re helping someone all the time and they’re very incapacitated it’s hard to be Florence Nightingale all the time.”
Their careers went in separate directions too, when they were axed as This Morning presenters in 2020.
The pair had been presenting the show for 15 years.
After their exit from the show, Ruth continued to appear on the hit daytime programme Loose Women and Eamonn went on to find success as a presenter on GB News.