One of Ruth Langsford's Loose Women co-stars claimed that Ruth was "jealous" before splitting from husband Eamonn Holmes.
Coleen Nolan, who is a regular on the ITV panel show alongside Langsford, 64, said in an interview earlier in the year that a joke she had made about the couple had gone down the wrong way. It came amid reports that Ruth was "insanely jealous" of Coleen's friendship with her husband before they divorced.
Speaking to the Express at the beginning of her solo tour across the country, Nolan said that she and Ruth had a running joke that Coleen, 59, would "steal" Eamonn from her. The good pals, who have been on Loose Women together for years, said there is no love lost thanks to their cheeky digs.
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Giving her thoughts at the start of her tour in February, Coleen said: "I love winding Ruth up about him. I love him - and me and him get on so well - and Ruth's like, 'seriously, my best friend, one of my best friends?' And I know that she's insanely jealous."
She added that as a way to get under Ruth's skin, Coleen would push the limits of the joke, saying things like "Really, Eamonn is much better with me." However, she expressed her frustration at how the inside joke gets played out in the media, including magazines and newspapers.
"We do have a laugh about it as soon as she says something about Eamonn - like if she's negative about him," Nolan added. She also revealed that Ruth had been frustrated about Eamonn's numerous health issues, but had to push through them as they were still married and willing to make it work.
"She'll say he's always moaning with all these ailments I go, 'Eamonn's not like that with me' and she's like, 'I swear to God I'm gonna kill you.'" Coleen said. "So we do have such a laugh about it. Love the two of them so much."
Veteran broadcaster Holmes has had a rough few years as his health declined quickly following back surgery in 2022. Things were made worse when the GB News host lost his mother, sending him into grief.
Following the deterioration of his health, Ruth gave up much of her time to become Eamonn's caregiver. The former This Morning host reflected on how his health conditions changed the dynamic of the relationship, saying: "Being a carer is not always easy, but when someone you love needs help, you step up."
Ruth and Eamonn, who had become stalwarts of daytime television, announced on Sunday (May 26) that they would be splitting, after 14 years of marriage. The pair, who were together for nearly thirty years, released a joint statement, explaining: "Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing."
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