Friends of Eamonn Holmes have denied he is engaged to Katie Alexander after the mother-of-five was seen wearing a sparkling ring while out near his London home. 

Divorcee Katie, 42, was seen running errands wearing a silver band, which appeared to be embedded with a diamond, on her wedding finger.

Wearing a mini black dress and a belt that cinched her in at the waist, Katie did very little to hide the sparkler.

A source close to the presenter has since insisted claims of an engagement are ‘wide of the mark, telling MailOnline: ‘That is not an engagement ring.’

Eamonn and wife Ruth Langford, both 64, announced they were going their separate ways in May after work commitments ‘took their marriage in different directions’.

They had been together for 27 years and married for 14.

The pair share son Jack, 22, while he has three children Declan, 35, Rebecca, 32, and Niall, 30, from a previous marriage.

It had been reported Eamonn was being consoled amid the split by Katie who is 22 years his junior and also a relationship counsellor.

According to The Sun Katie has told friends they are ‘planning a future together’ and their previous ‘close friendship’ had ‘gone up several notches’.

The paper previously revealed how Eamonn had grown close to an unknown woman since last year, after they first came into contact several years ago.

The broadcaster is said to have been on outings with the woman, including a visit to a safari park and has reportedly spoiled her with gifts. She is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown.

He has also endorsed a charity linked to her work and helped to host a fund-raising event free of charge.

The woman’s name has never been mentioned, with Eamonn making sure to not reveal it on social media and the publication reported that Ruth was seemingly not aware of their meetings until recently.

Sources told the paper that Eamonn treated his close friend to various extravagant days out including a Beyonce concert, a Center Parcs visit last year and tickets to see his favourite team Man United play at Old Trafford.

They explained: ‘Ruth was obviously aware that her marriage was crumbling, but as details emerge, her upset has turned to anger.

‘Eamonn’s friend is bowled over by being lavished with attention and kindness from him.’

The pair met via Twitter after the woman commented on a post and it sparked a conversation between the pair.

Friends explained that the woman’s counselling skills include coping with ‘feeling sad’ and ‘separation and divorce’ therefore it seems fitting she will be supporting Eamonn at this time of uncertainty.

MailOnline have contacted Eamonn’s representatives for comment.

Meanwhile Ruth appeared to put her worries behind her as she enjoyed a boozy girls’ night out with friends on Friday night.

She took to her Instagram stories to share a slew of snaps, documenting her fun-filled evening with pals Rachael Eleri and Liv Davey.

Ruth seemed to be having the time of her life as she posed for a picture with the duo, holding up a peace sign as all three of them donned black sunglasses.

They went out for food and drinks at the Greek Mediterranean restaurant Gaia, in Mayfair, London.

Ruth appeared to be enjoying her evening as she pouted at the camera for the fun snap, looking glamorous in a white shirt and black trousers.

The TV presenter’s night out comes just over a week after she made her triumphant return to Loose Women following her split from her husband Eamonn Holmes.

Opening her comeback show, Ruth announced to the audience: ‘Welcome to your first Loose Women of the week, it’s great to have your company!’

Her co-star Coleen Nolan added: ‘Can I just say, I am so so happy you are back.’

As the crowd cheered for her return, panellist Janet Street-Porter shouted: ‘Thank God! Thank God!’

‘I was left with her and her,’ she joked gesturing to Coleen and Brenda Edwards.

She had taken an extended break from the ITV show following the news that the couple were going their separate ways in May and was welcomed back to the studio with rapturous applause.

Ruth first appeared on Loose Women 24 years ago but hasn’t been on the show as their anchor since April.

Meanwhile, Eamonn has continued working at GB News since the split and has not discussed the divorce.

Earlier this month, a TV insider told MailOnline that despite it being incredibly emotional for Ruth to speak about the split, she is a professional, and knows she can’t return to television without addressing why she has been absent since April.