Ruth Langsford said she was “delighted” to be back on Loose Women on Monday as she returned to the show for the first time since her split from Eamonn Holmes.
The presenter, 64, took an extended break from the ITV show following news that the couple would be going their separate ways in May after 14 years of marriage.
Opening the show, she announced: ‘Welcome to your first Loose Women of the week, it’s great to have you with us!’
Coleen Nolan asked: ‘Can I just say that I’m so happy you’re back?
“I won’t do it again. It’s so nice to be back with you,” Ruth replied.
Ruth Langsford said she was “delighted” to be back on Loose Women as she returned to the show for the first time since her split from Eamonn Holmes on Monday (pictured last year on the show)
Ruth first appeared on Loose Women 24 years ago but has not been on the show as a presenter since April.
Meanwhile, Eamonn, 64, has continued to work at GB News since the split and has not spoken about the divorce, but has still been seen wearing his wedding ring.
Earlier this month, a TV source told MailOnline that although it was incredibly emotional for Ruth to speak about the split, she is a professional and knows she cannot return to TV without addressing why she has been absent since April.
The source said: ‘The Loose Women presenters have a history of speaking openly about their marriage break-ups on air and it’s a very supportive environment.
‘Ruth knows viewers are very interested in her break-up, so she will address her and Eamonn for the first time on the show.
‘The public has been there through the ups and downs of their relationship, she has always been very open and honest and later this month will be no different… she owes it to the viewers to say something.
‘She will be surrounded by the people closest to her on the show and then she will call it a day… she has no plans to do a big interview, this will be the only time she speaks.’
Ruth’s comments about the split come after Eamonn spoke about his ongoing health issues in an Instagram post last month, where he said “It’s hard to stand up, but my next goal is to walk.”
She first appeared on Loose Women 24 years ago but has not been on the show as a presenter since April (pictured in 2019).
Meanwhile, Eamonn, 64, has continued to work at GB News since the split and has not spoken about the divorce, but has still been seen wearing his wedding ring.
Earlier this month, a TV source told MailOnline that although it was incredibly emotional for Ruth to talk about the split, she is a professional and knows she cannot return to TV without addressing why she has been absent since April (pictured with Eamonn in 2007).
The broadcaster has suffered from chronic back pain for years, but his condition worsened after a failed operation and he now struggles to walk unaided.
Last month at the TRIC Awards, he was seen using a walking frame to walk on stage as he accepted the award for Best Breakfast Show for GB News.
But he also took the opportunity to send a scathing message to his ex-wife during his speech, suggesting to a crowd of mutual friends and colleagues that she had stabbed him in the back.
Accepting the award, Eamonn told the audience: “I had surgery a year and a half ago and it went wrong. So I’ve got two things on my back that I didn’t want,‘ apparently referring to both his recent operation and Ruth.
A source told MailOnline: “Ruth took Eamonn’s words as a dig at her. She found them unfair and hurtful,” adding: “Friends are worried this could get very ugly.”
Eamonn is reportedly being comforted amid his split from Ruth by relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, who is 22 years his junior.
Sources told MailOnline that Katie is in love with the broadcaster, after supporting him during their turbulent separation.
The divorced mother of three has become close to the star after a “series of outings” together, and has reportedly said she is “here for the long haul”.
Now, friends have told MailOnline that she and Eamonn are so close that she has a “crush” on him.
He has been spending time with the counselor in recent weeks and sources say she hopes their closeness could develop into a long-term relationship.
Ruth’s comments on the split come after Eamonn spoke about his ongoing health issues in an Instagram post last month, where he said “it’s hard to stand up but my next goal is to walk.”
At last month’s TRIC Awards, he was seen using a walking frame to walk on stage as he accepted the award for Best Breakfast Show for GB News (pictured).
