The TV presenter has opened up in depth about her split from Eamonn Holmes, revealing she saw ‘darkness’ but is now feeling strong and independent
Ruth Langsford has revealed she went through a difficult period following her separation from husband Eamonn Holmes, but has come through the experience and remains open to the possibility of marriage in the future. The television presenter, 65, has given her first detailed interview since announcing the split from Eamonn in May last year.
Following 14 years of marriage, Ruth is now adapting to life as a single woman, though she acknowledged the past 18 months have presented significant challenges, and continues to receive counselling support to work through any difficulties. Speaking with determination, Ruth says: “I definitely see light in the future where I didn’t before. Before, I saw darkness and was thinking, ‘Oh my God, what’s going to happen?’.”
Referencing the iconic Gloria Gaynor track, she added: “But now the fear has gone, because what do you do? Do you crumble? Do you lay down and die? Oh no, not I. I will survive.”
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The Loose Women presenter and Eamonn confirmed their separation last year, amid claims they had been leading separate lives for a considerable time beforehand. Since the announcement, Ruth has maintained her privacy but has had to observe as Eamonn entered into a new relationship with partner Katie Alexander, who has accompanied him to various public engagements and on trips abroad.
Ruth Langsford, who is currently single, has expressed her openness to future relationships. She stated: “Never say never to starting a new relationship. I haven’t been put off having a relationship. I haven’t even been put off marriage, but I’m definitely not actively looking, and part of that is because I’ve realised I’m actually quite good on my own. I am independent and quite strong. It has taken me a bit of time [to realise that] and I don’t know what lies ahead, but that chapter now feels quite exciting. It’s not as scary as I thought.”, reports the Mirror.
Ruth, mother to 23 year old Jack with Eamonn, took a break from hosting Loose Women when news of their split broke in May last year, returning to the show in July. Sources at the time told the Mirror that she was heartbroken by the events and how swiftly Eamonn moved on.
In a January interview, she admitted that the months following their separation had been “very difficult” and “very painful”.
In a recent interview with Woman & Home magazine, Ruth revealed: “I started counselling when Eamonn and I separated, and I’m still having it. It is very powerful and very useful. It gives me tools to deal with things. My counsellor has probably seen us on TV, but she doesn’t know either of us so doesn’t get involved and doesn’t judge.
“The end of a very long relationship takes a lot of unravelling. Counselling helps you move on from it, to not be held back.”
Ruth is now back working full-time on Loose Women and other television projects, but the ITV series is among several daytime programmes facing cost-cutting measures next year. The changes will see Loose Women broadcast for 30 weeks annually instead of 52.
ITV has confirmed the existing panel will remain, but like hundreds of staff members, Ruth is awaiting further information.
She says: “Television is an exciting job but if it stopped tomorrow, I’d do something else. It would be a shame, but I’ve had a great run so I’d go and work in a garden centre because I love gardening. I never feel settled because I’m self-employed. However, as I’ve got older, I try not to fret about it.
“I’ve lost my job many times during my career – through a programme finishing, a new head of a department making changes, or a whole company closing. When I was with Television South West, we lost our franchise and everybody lost their jobs. At the time, you panic and think you’re never going to work again. Yet here I still am. All I can say to the young people who are losing their jobs or going through changes, no matter what your job, is, ‘This is difficult, but you will be OK.’ Sadly, in most industries there is no job security any more, nothing stays the same, and we all have to adapt and move on. It’s not easy, but we survive.”
Fortunately, alongside her ITV commitments, Ruth has built a thriving business with the QVC shopping channel, where she runs her own clothing range and will shortly launch an Autumn/Winter 2026 collection. She’s now embarking on a new venture as an author.
Back in July, the Mirror disclosed she was in discussions with several publishers, and she has since started writing.
She says: “I’m writing my first book! I’ve been approached about doing one many times over the years and always said no, but now is the right time. Feeling Fabulous is not an autobiography, but about the life lessons I’ve learnt in my 65 years – good, happy, bad, sad, and how I’m feeling about moving forward at 65 on my own, in a new chapter. It will be released early next year, and I hope people will find it uplifting, helpful and funny.”
On a more cheerful note, Ruth also revealed to the magazine that she has discovered a fresh passion in her life – a newfound enthusiasm for exercise and fitness classes. She says: “My new love? Pilates. I’m hooked!” She adds: “I did it 23 years ago to help a really bad back following my pregnancy with Jack. Back then, it wasn’t so popular. A lot of dancers did it, but I had no clue!
“I looked up the Pilates Foundation and chose one of three instructors in my area – a woman who, it turns out, lived one street away. I did Pilates for a year with her and it did help my back, but then I drifted off. I recently got back in touch with her and we’re working together again. I’m loving it, to the point where I’ve started thinking, ‘Have I just found my exercise thing? !’ It’s hard b****y work. I do mat and reformer Pilates, and six years ago bought a small home reformer machine from QVC, which sat in the garage until I dusted it off recently.
“I’m now doing Pilates almost every day and feeling stronger. I can feel it in my core, my waist and my legs. It’s not about weight loss, but strength and movement. Elderly people fall over because they lose coordination and core strength. I don’t want that to be me!”.
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