Eamonn Holmes and girlfriend Katie Alexander jet back to UK after holiday – as Ruth calls in ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer
EAMONN Holmes and girlfriend Katie Alexander jet back to the UK after their romantic holiday – as his ex Ruth Langsford calls in a ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer.
Last weekend new couple Eamonn and Katie arrived in Barcelona, Spain, to board Virgin Voyager’s luxurious Scarlet Lady, after The Sun revealed that the TV presenter, 64, was going to take his new woman away on holiday.
The pair were recently seen looking loved-up in Ibiza, but have since been pictured back at Barcelona airport where they started their trip.
Eamonn looked casual in a navy jacket, matching trousers and blue slip on trainers.
He completed his look with aviator sunglasses.
Meanwhile marriage counsellor Katie, 42, looked chic in a black vest, whiter trousers and a red jumper wrapped around her shoulders.
She styled her look with black sandals, oversized sunglasses and a cream and black handbag.
This weekend The Sun revealed that Ruth has hired a “fierce” divorce lawyer in their marital split.
Eamonn will be up against Catherine Costley, a protegee of Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who was enlisted by Paul McCartney in his break-up.
Loose Women host Ruth turned to her several months ago as she seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Eamonn with a financial settlement.
Eamonn is believed to be using lawyer Rachael Somerset from London-based firm Level.
Ruth is STILL wearing her wedding ring after she was pictured at a public outing over the weekend.
The telly star put on a brave face to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society – and Ruth is an ambassador for the charity.
The event took place in Painshill Park in Surrey, close to where Ruth lives in the marital home she once shared with Eamonn.
On Saturday night Ruth thanked fans for their support as she enjoyed a takeaway with her son Jack, who she shares with Eamonn.
Ruth and Eamonn's 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 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.
Earlier this week we revealed that Eamonn is set to move in with his girlfriend, just four months after announcing his shock split.
Taking big steps in their romance, the couple is now looking to make it more official, as a source close to the relationship counsellor told The Sun: “Katie’s assured him she’s in it for the long haul and they’re both settling down nicely.
“They’ve been spending so much time at his Kingston flat that they’re even looking to move in together permanently.
“Eamonn doesn’t want to stay in his rented place as it’s too small, too expensive and, without air conditioning, gets very hot.
“It’s on the basement floor as well, with people looking in as they walk past all the time so isn’t private enough for them.
“With that in mind, they’re really keen to move into a bigger place in the country with lots of land.
“Katie will obviously be there to care for Eamonn as he grows older and thinks it’s best to do that somewhere without prying eyes.”
Eamonn and Ruth first started dating in the 90s.
They tied the knot in 2010.