Former This Morning co-stars Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes announced their separation in a shock statement in May after almost 15 years of marriage and now she is returning to Loose Women

When television’s golden couple Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes announced their separation in May, it sent shockwaves through the industry.

With a marriage deemed to be ‘rock solid’ and one of the strongest in showbiz, the news the couple were seeking a divorce after 14 years of marriage hit hard. The TV presenters, who are both 64, met in 1997 through their mutual friend, television presenter, Sally Meen and quickly fell in love.

The bombshell two months ago left everyone searching for answers, and it has since been alleged that Ruth found messages between her husband and another woman on a laptop. Friends close to the Loose Women presenter – who has returning today after taking time away from the ITV show to deal with the breakdown of her marriage – revealed that there is no going back for the couple.

She has been left “hurt” after finding out her husband is being consoled by another woman with whom he’s been on a string of outings. Katie Alexander struck up a friendship with Eamonn over the past couple of years and he is said to have taken her to a safari park, a Manchester United game and a Beyonce gig.

In May it emerged Eamonn and Ruth have split after 14 years of marriage and are to divorce ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

The relationship counsellor, 42, has accompanied the GB News presenter on several outings over the past year and has been photographed at his home. Ruth was largely unaware of their friendship – and Katie’s pasl are at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the stars’ marriage was over.

A friend of Ruth said: “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.”

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “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. Not only was she very upset but she was also angry.” This, coupled with reports of explosive rows, along with Ruth admitting Eamonn’s ill health was “testing” for their family, lead many to think the pair had secretly split weeks before their announcement.

He has been seen with Katie Alexander who is ‘helping Eamonn through the tough time’
Speaking in the wake of their separation, one insider said: “It’s a very sorry tale. They are both so loved by the British public, they won over so many people on This Morning which they hosted for more than a decade. They were as close to Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan as you could get,” reports MailOnline.

It’s believed that both Eamonn and Ruth are keen to finalise their divorce soon, but there’s still a lot to sort out behind the scenes. Insiders claim Ruth is set to “barely mention” the breakup when she makes her comeback on Loose Women. At last month’s TRIC awards, a candid Eamonn shared: “I’m not OK. This is not a good time at all.” When quizzed about the future of his relationship with Ruth, Eamonn said: “It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.”

Eamonn and Ruth’s romance began in 1997 after being introduced by friends, leading to over a decade of dating before Eamonn proposed. The couple tied the knot in 2010, but they hadn’t been seen together publicly for two years prior to their split and in May they stunned fans by confirming it is all over in a statement.