EAMONN'S PAIN
Inside Eamonn’s Holmes crippling health battle from painful surgeries to needing help getting dressed
Eamonn has been through hell these last few years as he struggles with his health and marriage
EAMONN Holmes is best known for hosting shows like This Morning and GB News.
But behind his many TV appearances lies a long history of health battles from painful surgeries to needing help getting dressed.
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Hip replacement
After three decades of being reluctant to a hip replacement, Eamonn finally underwent surgery on both in 2016.
He went ahead with the major op to tackle the chronic hip, leg and back pain which caused him "sleepless nights".
Eamonn made a good recovery from the surgery and went on to lose three stone in a battle to boost his health.
Shingles
In 2018, Eamonn was struck down with the viral infection that caused a painful rash.
He believed it had been brought on by a 'stressful tax row' which saw him battle with HMRC over whether he was classed as staff or a freelancer as a presenter at This Morning.
"It was bloody scary to see it," he told The Sun. "It looked as if someone had taken a baseball bat to my face and smashed me about a bit."
Slipped discs
In early 2021, Eamonn was rushed to hospital after suffering from "pain he's never felt in his life"
He told his social media followers: "A month ago I did something to my back. I don't know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever.
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"I've got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven't got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can't sleep at night."
Eamonn Holmes: A New Start After Marriage Woes
The TV star soon discovered he had three slipped discs caused by the soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulging outwards.
This was affecting the movement in his right leg which forced him to walk with a stick.
Eamonn had epidural injections to manage his pain, saying they "helped to a degree but didn't cure the problem".
Spinal surgery
Eamonn ended up in A&E after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues in May 2022.
He spent nine days in hospital at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors fearing that surgery would be too risky.
The This Morning star finally went under the knife in September 2022, saying: "It went well - the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant.
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"The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly."
Eamonn had undergone extensive physical therapy and had compared his journey to re-learning to walk.
The presenter had gone through a period of depending on crutches to walk and had lost nerves in his right leg due to the injury.
In September 2023, he was seen eating ice cream in a mobility scooter - sparking fears he could no longer walk.
Horror fall
Eamonn suffered a fall at his Surrey home which left him with a fractured shoulder last year.
His rep explained at the time: "As a consequence of being laid low by major surgery, Eamonn suffered a fall at home a couple of weeks ago and had to undergo another operation.
“He’s naturally gutted by the setback, but the good news is the surgery on his shoulder went well.
"He’s now receiving fantastic care and resting.
"Sadly it means Eamonn is likely to need a longer period off TV than he first thought in order to get himself better and heal."
Walking frame
On June 13, 2024, Eamonn was spotted using a walking frame after his shock split from Ruth Langsford.
The 64-year-old used the walking aid after getting a haircut in South West London.
A source who saw the GB News presenter said: “Eamonn was literally putting his best foot forward.
“It’s been a tough spell but he’s done with moping about and decided to cheer himself up with a short back and sides.
“The end of a marriage is tough for anyone but Eamonn is determined to look forward.
“Life is for living. And he’s determined to try whatever is required to get back on his feet.”
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We revealed last month that Eamonn and Ruth were getting divorced after 14 years of marriage.
The pair jointly presented ITV’s flagship show This Morning until 2021.
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 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.