She describes herself as “too glamorous to care,” loves to dance in the kitchen, and is the kind of fun mom who slides down the stairs on a mattress.
At first glance, relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 43, might not seem the most likely match for TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, 64, especially given their 21-year age gap.
The former Good Morning Britain star split from wife Ruth Langsford in May, with friends suggesting at the time that the Loose Women panellist felt “more like his carer than his wife” as the Belfast-born star became “increasingly grumpy”.
Eamonn has been struggling with back problems after suffering herniated discs and a fall at home in 2022, and relies on walking aids and a wheelchair as he attempts to regain his mobility.
There’s no doubt a divorce and health issues would create a challenging situation for any new couple, but mum-of-three Katie is said to be “smitten” with the TV star, with whom she is currently enjoying a European cruise holiday.
The key to unraveling the couple’s relationship may lie in Katie’s penchant for an older partner: the father of her eldest son was nearly 40 years her senior, while her ex-husband was 10 years her senior.
Eamonn Holmes was photographed with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander in Barcelona on Sunday
Glamorous mother-of-three Katie Alexander has spoken of her love of dancing in the kitchen.
Alexander is understood to be “smitten” with the charismatic former Good Morning Britain star, who announced his split from his wife of 14 years, Ruth Langsford, in May.
As MailOnline previously revealed, Katie was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell for bus driver Michael Devine, then 59. Despite their age difference, the couple spent five years together and have a son named Ben, 22, who is a keen footballer.
Devine, now 81, fondly remembers their time together and said it was “brilliant” to have found love with GB news presenter Holmes.
Stunning blonde Alexander has often been spotted with Holmes and sparked engagement rumours when she was seen sporting a diamond ring on her engagement finger earlier this week. She later confessed it was costume jewellery.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Devine said her son told her the pair were a couple.
He said: ‘Ben told me Eamonn and Katie were together but he doesn’t say much, he’s more interested in playing football.’
Devine, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, added that she has a close relationship with her son and sees him at least once a week.
Alexander was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell in love with Michael Devine, 59, now 81 (pictured). The couple spent five years together and have a son named Ben, 22.
Although he and Katie separated more than two decades ago, he remains on good terms with her.
“We have been separated for many years, but I see my son regularly, maybe once a week,” she said.
“I see Katie from time to time, but she’s in London. I don’t hold any grudges against her, she’s a good woman, she really is.
“I wish her the best. Katie is absolutely brilliant.”
Devine said his job as a bus driver meant he spent long periods away from home, putting a strain on the relationship.
He took the blame for the breakup, adding: “The reason for the breakup was that I was working outside the home. I was self-employed and I was transporting people and that was it.”
Their son was born at Dewsbury District Hospital on 10 August and took the surname of both parents, his last name being Robshaw-Devine.
Her son’s social media posts offer a revealing glimpse into Katie’s fun-loving personality.
“I see Katie from time to time but she’s in London. I don’t hold any grudges against her, she’s a good woman, she really is,” he told MailOnline.
Alexander works as a relationship counselor and on her website she says she takes “a holistic approach to counseling.”
A snap shared in 2013 shows her mother sledding down the stairs of her home on a mattress.
“Sometimes I wonder who the child living in our house is,” she wrote. “My mother sliding down the stairs on a mattress!”
Elsewhere, some hilarious snaps show her sticking her tongue out alongside her son.
After her relationship with her father broke down, she met and married a bar owner, George Alexander, and they had two children: a boy and a girl.
It appears she was involved in the family business and was listed as the manager of the pizzeria previously run by her ex-husband.
Meanwhile, Eamonn is entering his grandfather’s era. His son Declan has two young daughters with his wife Jenny.
If things work out with Katie, Eamonn will be a stepfather to a 13-year-old boy, the youngest of her three children.
However, Katie’s training as a counsellor means she is also well equipped to deal with a relationship that presents some challenges.
Offering in-person, telephone and online therapy services, priced at £45 for a 50-minute session, operating from the Easthorpe Hall wellbeing centre in Mirfield.
“I work in a person-centred way and take a holistic approach to counselling, focusing on you, the client. This means you have the voice and space to fully express yourself without judgement,” she said.
“I believe that you, the client, are capable and have the power to achieve what you want in life. My job is to try to help you understand what can sometimes be difficult to do alone.”
According to her Instagram bio, she’s also a “kitchen dancer with a soul too glamorous to care.”
In his spare time he is also passionate about photography and has his own account dedicated to his work.
An anonymous review also praises Alexander’s services, saying: ‘Katie made me feel very comfortable during the sessions, speaking to me without judgement and allowing me to look at certain things from a completely different perspective.
‘My confidence has grown enormously and I would recommend Katie especially to anyone who is unsure whether therapy is right for them.’
However, she also has a fun side: her personal Instagram bio reads: “Kitchen dancer with a soul too glamorous to care.”
She also has an Instagram account dedicated to her love of photography. Her bio reads: “I’m a photography-loving Yorkshire girl who takes some pictures.”
The couple reportedly met several years ago, but became close friends in recent years.
They originally contacted each other via Twitter after both being involved with a mental health charity.
Alexander commented on a post and it sparked a conversation between the two.
More recently, Katie has been seen visiting Holmes at his rented flat in south-west London, after he moved out of his home with Ruth in Surrey from his home in Yorkshire.
Friends have told MailOnline that she and Holmes are so close that she has a “crush” on him.
She reportedly became friends with the star after a “series of outings” together, and has reportedly said she’s “here for the long haul.”
A source previously said The mirror‘She’s helping Eamonn through some tough times, but she doesn’t want to be seen as a marriage wrecker.
‘The friendship has grown in recent months, but Eamonn’s marriage ended some time ago.’
The publication claims Holmes took her on a trip to a safari park, a Manchester United match, a Beyoncé concert and He has spoiled her with gifts.
He also backed a charity linked to his work and helped organize a free fundraising event.
Friends explained that the woman’s counselling skills include dealing with “feelings of sadness” and “separation and divorce,” so it seems fitting that she would support Holmes in this time of uncertainty.
While her friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breaking up, it is understood that Ruth had not heard from her until recently and decided to take some time off work.
Holmes and Langsford married in 2010 after 13 years together, in a lavish ceremony at Hampshire’s grand 19th-century hotel, The Elvetham.
While her friendship with Alexander is not said to be the reason for the marriage breaking up, it is understood that Langsford had not heard from her until recently and decided to take some time off work.
A source said The sunRuth was obviously aware that her marriage was falling apart, but as details emerge, her disgust has turned to anger.
‘Eamonn’s friend is amazed to receive so much attention and kindness from him.’
A friend then told him: The mirror:Ruth was hurt when she found out about Eamonn’s friendship with another woman, but she is strong and will return soon with a smile on her face, giving her best, as she always does.
“She needs a bit of time to regroup after everything she’s been through, which is understandable, but she plans to return to Loose Women, with renewed vigour, in July.”
The friend also insisted there was “no chance” of the couple getting back together.
