Eamonn Holmes opens up marriage split for first time and says 'I'm not OK'

Eamonn Holmes shared details about his separation from Ruth Langsford, admitting, "I'm not OK" - yet he remains hopeful that the pair will maintain a friendship.

The beloved television couple, who had been married for 14 years, shock their fans by announcing their split last month.

At the TRIC Awards on Tuesday, Eamonn disclosed his feelings to The Mirror: "I'm not OK. This is not a good time at all. It's too early to say but I hope we can still be friends."

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The presenter from Belfast attended the event in a high-tech wheelchair to help with his chronic back pain, telling the publication that he feels as if he is on "borrowed time" as his father died aged 65 from a heart attack in 1991.

Eamonn, who is 64, has faced several health challenges before he and Ruth made public their decision to part ways, reports RSVP Live.

He added that he thought of skipping the awards due to his pain, but added that he has great support and is working hard to overcome his chronic pain.

"I wasn't going to come, but I've got this new chair with all these gadgets," he said.

"I get very resentful that I'm not the way I used to be but I get on with it. I work hard at trying to walk. It's very hard to get through a normal day but I have help from people around me."

At the prestigious award ceremony, GB News Breakfast snagged the title of Best News Programme, and Eamonn said: "I had an operation a year and a half ago, and two things went wrong so I have two things in my back I don't want. So I'll happily accept this."

Eamonn and his wife Ruth confirmed their split in May. A representative issued a statement on their behalf stating: "Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing."

It has been reported that the ex-This Morning presenter has now left the family home and is living in a nearby property.

The famed television couple, who became romantically involved in 1997 after meeting through friends, are parents to their son Jack and tied the knot in the summer of 2010.

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