The woman comforting Eamonn Holmes amid his split from wife Ruth Langsford has reportedly told friends she is in it for ‘the long haul.

The presenter and journalist, and Ruth, both 64, announced their plans to divorce last month after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

Eamonn has since moved out of his marital home in Surrey.

He has been spending time with relationship counsellor Katie, 42, who he has been on a ‘string of outings with’.

According to The Mirror, mother-of-three Katie is hoping her friendship with Eamonn could grow into a long-term relationship in the coming months.

A source said: ‘She is helping Eamonn through the tough times but doesn’t want to be seen as a marriage wrecker.

The friendship has grown in recent months but Eamonn’s marriage has been over for some time.

‘She wants to help Eamonn with his situation and their friendship has grown over a period of time.

‘She feels she will be close to him for a long period and is in this for the long haul.’

Katie has been seen visiting Eamonn at his rented apartment in South West London from her home in Yorkshire.

The pair reportedly struck up a friendship over the past couple of years and the publication claims Eamonn has taken her on a safari park trip, to a Manchester United game and a Beyoncé concert.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Eamonn Holmes for comment.

While his friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Ruth was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work.

A source told The Sun: ‘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.

One pal then told The Mirror: ‘Ruth was hurt when she learned about Eamonn’s friendship with another woman but she is strong and she will be back soon with a smile on her face, putting her best foot forward, as she always does.

‘She needs a bit of time to regroup after everything that’s gone on, which is understandable, but she plans to return to Loose Women, with renewed vigour, in July.’

The friend also insisted that there was ‘no chance whatsoever’ that the pair would ever get back together.

Reports claim that Eamonn and the woman made contact through social media after both being involved with a mental health charity.

A spokesperson for Ruth has said: ‘Ruth had holiday time booked from Loose Women and has extended her leave. She’s looking forward to returning to the show in due course.’

It comes after MailOnline revealed Eamonn has been seeking comfort from his facialist and friend Lisa Harris amid his divorce from Ruth.

A friend of Eamonn’s has now told MailOnline that Lisa has been a ‘shoulder to cry on’ for the GB News host, whom he and Ruth have known for years.

The source shared: ‘ Lisa has been there to support him during marriage problems in the past few years. They’ve even been out recently together.

‘She’s grown close to him and been there to offer a shoulder to cry on during the past few years whilst his marriage to Ruth has fell apart.’

The insider added: ‘He’s been a regular at Lisa’s salon for several years.’ The pair also attended a management party together in 2022.

The year before, Lisa’s company Instagram page congratulated Eamonn and Ruth on winning a National Television Award.

Alongside a picture of the pair was the caption: ‘Well done for winning the NTA, very well deserved, see you both soon.’

The Instagram profile also features snaps of Lisa with Ruth and Lizzie Cundy – who were both her clients.

Pictures obtained by MailOnline show Eamonn enjoying a catch up with Lisa earlier this year at her aesthetics clinic in Weybridge, Surrey.

After a reported three hour treatment in the salon, Eamonn emerged on his crutches before heading into his waiting car.

He seemed chirpy as he caught up with Lisa – a facialist and skin expert whose celebrity clients include Gladiator Jenny Pacey and choreographer Jason Gardiner.

It’s since been claimed that Eamonn is ‘done with moping around’ while his marriage ends.

A source told The Sun that he was ‘ready to move on’, adding ‘Eamonn is determined to look forward.

‘It’s been a tough spell but he’s done with moping about and decided to cheer himself up with a short back and sides.

‘The end of a marriage is tough for anyone but Eamonn is determined to look forward. Life is for living. And he’s determined to try whatever is required to get back on his feet.’

MailOnline has contacted Eamonn’s representatives for comment.

In contrast, friends claimed that Ruth, 64, has been left ‘hurt’ after discovering that Eamonn is being consoled by another unnamed blonde woman in her forties amid their split.

Ruth has been taking an extended break from Loose Women amid the separation.

Eamonn and Ruth recently revealed they are headed for divorce after work commitments ‘took their marriage in different directions’.

Meanwhile, Ruth was seen still wearing her wedding ring in her latest social media post on Thursday.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Ruth modelled a trendy outfit from her QVC range with the sparkler visible on her left hand as she held up her phone to capture the mirror selfie.

Posing up a storm she cut a stylish figure in a navy utility jacket, cargo trousers and wedge trainers which she layered over a sparkly T-shirt.

Last week it was claimed a pal of Ruth’s said she was left ‘ devastated’ when she discovered ‘messages from another woman’ to Eamonn.

While Ruth did not comment on the claims, following the revelation she appeared to take a thinly veiled dig at her estranged as she filmed herself walking their dog Maggie – who is in the centre of a custody battle between the exes .

The Instagram post was simply captioned ‘Maggie. Happy Sunday’, however, it was set to the song Pretty Girls Walk by Big Boss Vette – which details moving on from an ex.

In the song – which was a viral TikTok audio in early 2023 – lyrics reference moving on from hearsay.

It opens with the lines: ‘No matter what the f**k these h**s talkin’ ’bout / Just know you a bad b***h’.

The song also refers to moving on with a new partner, with the lyrics: ‘Sh***in’ on my ex (f**k him), on to the next (on God)’.

The post came after it was claimed Ruth was ‘upset’ at rumours the reason for her split from Eamonn was due to his health issues.

Eamonn has suffered various health woes in recent years including crippling back pain and a bout of shingles – with Ruth being by his side looking after him throughout.

And Ruth has been left sad that rumours have circulated that this contributed to their separation, according to The Sun .

It has been claimed a pal of Ruth’s has said she was left ‘devastated’ when she discovered ‘messages from another woman’ on Eamonn’s laptop – which was reportedly the real reason they split.

Eamonn praised Ruth for her ‘amazing’ support after he suffered a fall down stairs of their home in November 2022.

In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years.

Then in 2018 Eamonn detailed his battle with shingles and how he was struck with the virus on his son Declan’s wedding day.

His years of chronic back pain started in spring 2021 – which came completely out of nowhere.

The pain become so severe that it left Eamonn reliant on a walking stick, but soon found out the root cause.

He eventually discovered it was three slipped discs that affected the movement of his right leg.

In September 2022, Eamonn was forced to step away from his GB news show as he underwent vital back surgery to aid his chronic back pain.

Then in November 2022 Eamonn endured a horrific accident which saw him fall down a set of stairs at his home in Surrey leading him to break his shoulder weeks after his huge spinal surgery .

Ruth recently said she ‘lives in hope’ that his mobility will improve.

Speaking to Woman’s Weekly, she said: ‘I don’t know how much Eamonn’s mobility will improve. We live in hope.

‘He does the physio, but there might have to be some acceptance that this might never be 100% right. With any care situation – and there are millions of carers in this country – it isn’t always easy. It’s testing but we manage as a family.’

Ruth added: ‘I look at Eamonn, who’s had his health and back problems, and it makes you realise how important your health is.’

It comes as it has been claimed a pal of Ruth’s has said she was left ‘devastated’ when she discovered ‘messages from another woman’ on Eamonn’s laptop.

A source told The Sun : ‘ Ruth was completely taken by surprise when she saw the messages.

‘She had no idea what had been going on between them. She was devastated.’

They added: ‘Not only was she very upset but she was also angry.’

It comes after it emerged Ruth ‘orchestrated’ her split with Eamonn who is devastated and refused to sign off on the joint statement announcing the end of their near 30-year relationship.

Officially the couple said over the weekend they are ‘determined to stay friends and keep things amicable’.

But from being a joint effort – the statement citing their work commitments taking their marriage ‘in different directions ’ was in fact arranged by Ruth, with Eamonn refusing to play a part in its release.

Eamonn reportedly told friends that he ‘didn’t want to get involved’ and that ‘Ruth can do what she wants but keep me out of it’.

The former This Morning hosts revealed they had split last month after work commitments ‘took their marriage in different directions’.

A representative said: ‘Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.’

The couple tied the knot in 2010 after dating for 13 years – and say that despite their separation, they are ‘determined to stay friends’.

They are parents to son Jack, 22, while Eamonn also has sons Declan, 35, Niall, 31, and daughter Rebecca, 33, from his previous marriage.

Insiders claimed on Sunday that the pair have been living separate lives for two years, with their relationship deteriorating after they left This Morning in 2021.

Eamonn has had a tough two years, losing the ITV show, as well as battling health conditions and grieving the death of his mother. The presenter is said to have been keen to move home to Belfast, but Ruth was adamant they stay put at their Surrey home.

A source told The Sun on Sunday : ‘Eamonn and Ruth’s relationship changed when they left This Morning. They started moving in different directions in their careers and their priorities started to change. Eamonn was desperate to return to Belfast, which he thinks of as home, but Ruth would never move. It became a bone of contention.

‘As her ITV career continued, Eamonn went down another path and they became ships in the night. For the past two years they had led separate lives, professionally and personally.’