Eamonn Holmes opened up about the one thing that he claims stopped Ruth Langsford from divorcing him, in an interview given one year prior to their shock split.
It was reported in May that the TV power couple were seeking a divorce after 14 years of marriage.
They are perhaps best known for their 15-year stint on This Morning, hosting the popular ITV show together from 2006 to 2021.
Eamonn, 64, opened up about the couple’s dynamic on a February 2023 episode of the How To Be 60 podcast with Kaye Adams and Karen Mackenzie.
The Irish broadcaster was asked if he and Ruth, 64, “laugh a lot”.
Eamonn said: “Oh, I’d have to laugh a lot married to her, yes. I mean, as she said… she always said to me, ‘If you didn’t make me laugh so much, we’d be divorced’.
That’s what she says.
“But yeah, we have a good relationship from the (that) point of view. Ruth’s got a very good sense of humour and we do… we do laugh a lot. She can take a joke very well.”
The former GB News host was then asked how he felt about the next 10 years, to which Eamonn replied that there was “no guarantee” that he’d be alive – none “whatsoever”.
However, he did explain that he would like to be “financially sound”, as well as “be able to retire” and realise it’s “time to get off the stage”, although he’d happily do a programme on trains travelling across Canada.
Speculation about the couple’s separation included the theory that Eamonn was suffering from poor health, as well as issues surrounding their living arrangements and the pressures of their working lives.
A spokesperson for the pair said at the time: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”
The have one son together, Jack, while Eamonn has three children from a previous marriage, Declan, Rebecca and Niall.
The bombshell split devastated fans and made waves, as rumours mounted that there had been “explosive rows”.
Eamonn also revealed earlier this month that he has been suffering from severe back pain. The GB News host previously said that he felt like he’s been living on “borrowed time”, as his dad died from a heart attack at 65.
Further discussing the future on the podcast, he said: “I think you’ve got to maintain your health. There’s no point living longer if you’re not living better, so you want to be ready for it.
“If they’re going to stretch out this mortal coil, then you should be…you should be ready for it.”
