Eamonn Holmes’ agonising health struggles from chronic back pain to shingles

Belfast broadcaster and GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes has been open about his health battles in recent years, from chronic back pain to shingles and eye surgery

Eamonn Holmes has endured a series of health struggles throughout the years, including back problems and recent eye surgery. The television presenter, who has also made headlines following his separation from former wife Ruth Langsford last year, marks his 66th birthday today (Wednesday, December 3).

In a heartbreaking remark back in 2024, the Belfast native claimed that he was on “borrowed time”, as his father had sadly passed away at the age of 65 from a heart attack. It came at a time when he made an appearance at the TRIC Awards.

The event represented his first solo public outing since he and Ruth ended their marriage in June that year following 14 years together, though Eamonn admitted he nearly didn’t attend due to the pain he was experiencing.

Eamonn, who used a wheelchair laden with “gadgets” at the event and noted that he was “not OK” and that it was “not a good time at all”, also shared details about an operation and how he had “two things in my back I don’t want”.

Speaking to The Mirror, he explained: “I wasn’t going to come, but I’ve got this new chair with all these gadgets. 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.”

Here’s a look at Eamonn’s various health battles, from a double hip replacement through to eye surgery.

Double hip replacement

In 2016, it was reported that Eamonn had undergone a double-hip replacement, having “lived with acute pain for so long”, being left “limping and dragging” his leg, and being unable to stand for long periods or walk long distances.

For the previous five years, Eamonn had been unable to watch his son Jack (whom he shares with Ruth) play golf, according to the Mail. He was also prevented from standing on the sidelines with other dads at football matches.

He revealed to the publication: “They’re all standing and I’m sitting there like an old man in the sturdy folding picnic chair.”

Shingles

Eamonn previously spoke candidly to Loose Women about his battle with shingles in 2018 and how he had to manage his son Declan’s wedding whilst suffering from the agonising viral rash (which is triggered by the varicella zoster virus).

His case of shingles was reportedly so serious that he couldn’t present This Morning, with photographs of his face showing swelling, scabs and red marks being broadcast on screen.

He quipped: “This is me with shingles looking like Quasimodo there and as you can see from that, it’s quite brutal.”

Shingles is a severe infection that can trigger an excruciating rash.

Chronic back pain

In 2021, the broadcaster discussed the challenges he was experiencing due to back pain, an issue he said at the time stemmed from a “trapped sciatic nerve”, though he confessed that he didn’t know “quite how it initially happened”.

He disclosed that his condition was affecting his family life, as he feared his children were occasionally left feeling “embarrassed” watching him navigate around on crutches and with a walking stick, confessing to the Sun: “I don’t walk – it’s more of a wobble. It has been very difficult this year.”

Eamonn added that he hadn’t been able to walk for a number of months, and his condition had “taken its toll” on others, too, including Ruth, who ultimately had to wait on him.

Back operation

A year later, Eamonn was forced to take a break from his GB News responsibilities to have spinal surgery, having previously opened up about his struggles following a dislocated pelvis that led to three slipped discs.

In a candid revelation to the Express, Eamonn explained how the operation would “hopefully relieve pressure” on his sciatic nerve, though it came with risks.

He stated: “It’s an operation that carries a 20 percent risk of going wrong, but such is the pain and restrictions that I have been suffering for the past 18 months, I’ve decided it is a risk I am willing to take.

“In fact, it’s a risk I want to take because, at this moment in time, nothing could seem worse than the constant pain that runs through my lower back and legs.”

Fractured shoulder

However, the same year, he suffered yet another setback when he fractured his shoulder in a fall at his then-home in Surrey, but he was “trying to look on the bright side”.

He revealed to GB News: “It’s been a hellish few weeks. But day by day I’m improving and I am remaining positive and trying to look on the bright side.”

Eamonn went on to say that he would require “extra time off” to allow for his recovery, before paying tribute to the NHS staff caring for him, calling them “amazing”.

He continued: “Also, I really must say a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nursing staff who have been looking after me. They all are amazing. God bless.”

Eye surgery

Finally, just two months ago in October, reports surfaced that Eamonn had required surgery for an eye injury. He shared the news on his Instagram page, posting photos of his bandaged eye.

He didn’t reveal the cause of the injury at the time, but did explain that one patch was “put on in hospital”, and that he’d applied a second, joking you “should see the other guy”.