Eamonn Holmes opens up about his 'humiliating' health battle as he returns to work

Eamonn Holmes
-Credit: (Image: GB News)


Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his health struggles and revealed he relies on carers for 'simple' tasks after being forced to take time off work. The GB News star, who recently split from wife Ruth Langsford, left the show on Tuesday due to ill health.

The 64 year old presenter, who recently said he felt like he is 'on borrowed time', relies on a wheelchair due to chronic back pain and is currently undergoing intense physiotherapy sessions. After he returned to GB News on Wednesday, he opened up about his current situation and described it as 'humiliating'.

Eamonn discussed his reliance on carers during a discussion about the General Election after a care support worker revealed she works 60 hours a week for £12.50 an hour. Eamonn said: "I just want to say what you do. I have been basically disabled for a year and a half or so and I have to have a carer to do the smallest simplest things and it's humiliating and humbling but thank goodness that carers are available."

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On Tuesday, the presenter caused concern among viewers when he abruptly disappeared during a 7:45am interview. Throughout the interview, Eamonn remained quiet, leaving Isabel to handle the questioning, before he exited offscreen.

Isabel then hosted the remaining 90 minutes of the programme alone, without explaining why Eamonn had left. A spokesperson for GB News informed MailOnline that the star had to leave early due to feeling unwell, stating: "Eamonn had to finish a little earlier today as he was feeling unwell. He hopes to be back tomorrow."

At last week's TRIC Awards, the TV star discussed his health issues, with the industry event also being his first public appearance since his split from wife Ruth Langsford. The star confessed he feels like he's living on 'borrowed time' because his father passed away at 65 from a fatal heart attack.

Eamonn was spotted arriving at the awards ceremony in a wheelchair due to his ongoing struggle with chronic back pain. In 2016, the celebrity underwent a double-hip replacement operation following years of severe pain.

Then in 2018, Eamonn shared his struggle with shingles, before being hit by chronic back pain in 2021. The pain became so intense that he had to rely on a walking stick, and he discovered it was three slipped discs affecting the movement of his right leg.

In September 2022, Eamonn underwent crucial back surgery to alleviate his chronic back pain. Then in November 2022, he suffered a dreadful accident when he tumbled down a flight of stairs at his Surrey home, resulting in a broken shoulder just weeks after his significant spinal surgery.

Just before their split, Ruth expressed her optimism about his mobility improving. Speaking to Woman's Weekly, Ruth stated: "I don't know how much Eamonn's mobility will improve. We live in hope.

"He does the physio, but there might have to be some acceptance that this might never be 100% right. With any care situation - and there are millions of carers in this country - it isn't always easy."