Eamonn Holmes called by brother who didn't know he was live on This Morning

It’s an important time to keep in touch with family during locking and once such was of doing so is by ringing up for a chat - but probably best to phone when they are not at work, particularly if they are live on television.

This is what happened on This Morning as co-host Eamonn Holmes was called by his brother who wanted to talk about the football - not realising his famous sibling was at work and mid-broadcast.

The incident happened Friday (8 May) as the popular mid-morning show was in full swing with Holmes on presenting duty alongside wife Ruth Langsford.

Read more: Eamonn Holmes defends sitting close to wife Ruth Langsford on This Morning

Addressing viewers, Holmes said: "It's amazing what happens. I've just had a phone call from my brother who, after 15 years of me doing this show, has no idea that I'm on the telly on Friday.

"He called me up to talk football. I said: 'That's fine Conor, that's very good, but I've got to get on and talk about VE Day and the celebrations and that sort of thing."

Langsford, seeing the lighter side of the situation, laughed and waved to her brother-in-law, saying: "Morning, Conor."

Holmes grew up one of five boys, and he has previously admitted they regularly fought while growing up in Belfast.

He told The Guardian in 2013: "Growing up, the lack of space meant we were like bear cubs or dogs that were always biting and nipping at each other, but not now.”

Read more: Ruth Langsford keeps mum safe with kiss through window

However, despite brotherly bickering, he says they much closer now they are older.

He added: "Today they are my best friends and that's the same for all of us; we love each other's company, we love being with each other, we indulge heavily in, what they call in Belfast, the banter or the craic."

This Morning is on ITV weekdays from 10am.