Ruth Langsford flies off to I’m A Celebrity in Australia as bosses sign her up for spin-off show
RUTH Langsford flashed a smile as she arrived at Heathrow Airport ready for her role on the I’m A Celebrity spin-off show Down Under.
The Loose Women anchor, 64 – has been signed by ITV bosses for I’m A Celebrity Unpacked in the wake of her split with husband Eamonn Holmes, also 64.
Ruth donned a striped jumper, black jacket and matching trousers for her cosy flight look, which was perfect for the lengthy jaunt to Australia.
She finished off with a pair of bright white trainers and was seen wheeling her luggage on a trolly as she strolled around Departures at London‘s biggest airport.
Later in the trip, when her luggage was on board and she was safely through security, Ruth took to her Instagram page to continue to document the trip.
The former This Morning host – who is backing her Loose Women co-star and The Sun columnist Jane Moore, 62 – posted a picture of some pink fizz and joked: “Bit of Dutch courage!”
Ruth then took a selfie with her booze and added: “The adventure begins!
“I’ll be on the Unpacked show on Friday night, see you then!”
She then shared a snap of her three huge suitcases – after revealing her packing hacks the night before – and wrote: “Australia here I come!
“Never could travel light!”
She then bid farewell to the “grey skies” of London and told fans she would be making the trip Down Under via a stop-over in Dubai.
FRESH START
Ruth’s new telly gig comes as her estranged husband Eamonn, 64, stepped out with new girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43.
An insider told us previously: “It’s been a tough year for Ruth and she’s been putting her best foot forward, she’s thrilled to have been asked to appear on this the spin off show and fly to Australia ahead of Christmas.
“She’s rooting for Jane and can’t wait to give her opinion on how she is getting on.
“The production team are particularly excited they have landed Ruth to join them as they think she’ll be amazing and give the new format a boost.”
Recently Belfast-born star Eamonn, who has been using a wheelchair amid health issues, said: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it.
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.
September 2024 – Eamonn was spotted on a luxury holiday in Barcelona with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander. Ruth calls in a ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer.
“There are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year. That would be a wonderful thing.”
Ruth and Eamonn’s 28-year relationship and 14-year marriage collapsed earlier this year.
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.
Ruth now wants a divorce and has hired £400-an-hour lawyer Catherine Costley.