He may have only split from wife Ruth Langsford four months ago, but Eamonn Holmes has already shocked fans after PDA-filled pics emerged of his romantic getaway with new flame Katie Alexander. And while they may seem an unlikely match, our sources say the couple are in it for the long haul.
Eamonn, 64, and relationship counsellor Katie, 43, enjoyed some quality time while on a luxury Mediterranean cruise last week, with one cosy snap showing the former This Morning presenter grabbing Katie’s bum. And now, we’re told that the couple are ready to prove this is far more than a fling. Our source says, ‘Katie is telling everyone she is totally smitten and in love. They’ve known each other for nine years, so this isn’t a fly-by-night relationship – she’s in it for the long haul. They’re now looking at places to move into together, as they want a lot more space.’
Eamonn and Katie were first linked earlier this year, just weeks after the TV presenter confirmed his split from Ruth, also 64. It was said Eamonn has known Katie, who is 22 years his junior, for several years after meeting online – only developing a ‘closer relationship’ following his break-up.
As rumours swirled that Katie was supporting Eamonn through his heartbreak, her ex-husband George, 53, opened up about his 2022 divorce from the relationship counsellor. Explaining that she initially met Eamonn while still married, he explained, ‘She was not swooning over him like he was George Clooney, but she liked being on social media and one day, she said she’d had a reply from him.’ Adding that he had ‘a lot of sympathy’ for Ruth, George shared, ‘Katie has a heart, so she will feel bad about Ruth.’
And now, our source says mum-of-three Katie is willing to pack up and move country if it means keeping her romance with Eamonn on track. Revealing that the pair are already planning to live together, the source says, ‘The dream is for them to end up in Eamonn’s hometown of Belfast. Katie was there with his family a few weeks ago, and she reassured them she’s in it for keeps. She says Eamonn is her soulmate and true love, and she wants to love and care for him – especially as he’s in such a bad way with his legs and back, and can’t walk properly without assistance.’
The presenter has had a tumultuous journey with his health in recent years, with chronic back pain now leaving Eamonn dependent on a wheelchair and mobility scooter to get around. At the time of their split, sources alleged that Ruth had faced her own struggles while caring for her husband, with insiders reporting the _Loose Wome_n star was left feeling ‘more carer than wife’ towards the end of their decades-long relationship.
And while Eamonn is moving on when it comes to his love life, Ruth has been enjoying plenty of nights out on the town as she embraces her new single status. Letting her hair down, the star was recently spotted being supported by her close pal Rylan Clark, 35, as they sipped on cocktails during a night out. It came as reports surfaced Ruth has hired a ‘fierce divorce lawyer’ in preparation for her separation from Eamonn, which will see the couple split their £5million net worth. Ruth’s co-star Coleen Nolan recently praised her friend, saying, ‘I’ve never met someone who has handled something with so much dignity and pride. She’s just such a lady, more of a lady then I’ll ever be.’
But despite Eamonn and Ruth’s split garnering plenty of attention, Katie isn’t paying any notice. Although their age gap romance has raised plenty of eyebrows, we’re told Katie’s blocking out the hate and focusing on her new man. We’re told, ‘She doesn’t care what people say – she says age is just a number. Eamonn’s her man, and she’s there to look after him.’