Eamonn Holmes remains hospitalized and off air nearly six months after suffering a stroke in April 2026. The veteran broadcaster is responding to treatment, but reports about his future at GB News are conflicting, with the channel denying claims he will not return.
What Happened and When
GB News announced on April 11, 2026 that Eamonn Holmes had suffered a stroke after being taken ill the previous week . The 66-year-old was hospitalized, and the channel stated he was “responding well to treatment” .
His son Declan Holmes shared a message on Instagram thanking well-wishers. “What happened came as a real shock, but dad is doing okay given the circumstances,” he said .
Holmes himself posted a photo of his granddaughters holding a sign reading “get well soom,” writing that he would do his best to recover . GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos described him as a “loved member of the GB News family” .
A Career Spanning More Than Four Decades
Eamonn Holmes is Britain’s longest-serving breakfast television presenter, with a broadcasting career dating back to 1979 . The Belfast-born journalist hosted GMTV from 1993 to 2005, then anchored Sky News Sunrise from 2005 to 2016 .
He co-presented ITV’s This Morning alongside Ruth Langsford from 2006 to 2021 . The couple married in 2010 after more than a decade together . Holmes joined GB News in 2022 to front its breakfast programme with co-host Ellie Costello .
He has received honorary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and Staffordshire University, and won the Television and Radio Industries Club award for Best Satellite and Digital TV Personality in consecutive years .
Longstanding Health Struggles Before the Stroke
The stroke followed years of significant mobility problems. Holmes has spoken publicly about dislodging discs in his back that impinged on his sciatic nerve and affected his right leg . He underwent spinal surgery and a double hip replacement, and has used a mobility scooter .
In May 2025, he suffered two falls. The first occurred at his home and required hospital treatment. Days later, he fell from his chair during a live GB News Breakfast broadcast . Holmes later explained the chair had “wonky wheels” and that he had slipped off, describing the incident as frightening given his recent hospitalisation .
In a March 2026 podcast interview, he revealed he could not stand from a seated position without assistance and required carers throughout the day .Quick Bio: Eamonn Holmes
Conflicting Reports About His GB News Future
In late September 2026, unnamed sources told the Daily Mail that GB News executives were planning for a future without Holmes and had deemed it “impossible for him to return” given his health status . The Belfast Telegraph reported similar claims from sources close to the presenter .
GB News publicly rejected these claims. A spokesman stated: “Eamonn is on leave, and we are looking forward to welcoming him back” . Another source told The Sun that there would “always be a home for Eamonn at the channel” .
Holmes has not appeared on air since March 12, 2026 . He was replaced on the breakfast programme by Alex Armstrong during his absence . In a pre-recorded message for the TRIC Awards in June, Holmes said his focus had to be on “making a full recovery and getting back to my best” .
Divorce Proceedings and Personal Life
Holmes and Ruth Langsford announced their separation in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage . Their divorce has not been finalised, with a court hearing for a “financial remedy” reportedly scheduled for November 2026 .
The couple’s joint estate has been reported at approximately £10 million, though they have been unable to reach a settlement . Langsford has continued her work on QVC and Loose Women .
Holmes has been in a relationship with relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 45, since after his split from Langsford . In early October 2026, it was reported that Alexander had moved out of the £1.3 million Surrey flat Holmes had been renting .
Sources told The Sun on Sunday that the couple remain together and in love. One source described Alexander as having been Holmes’s “rock and lifeline since he fell ill” .
What Remains Unconfirmed
Several key details remain unverified. Holmes’s current medical prognosis beyond the initial “responding well to treatment” statement has not been publicly disclosed. Whether he will return to GB News, and in what capacity, remains uncertain despite the channel’s public commitment. His living arrangements after leaving hospital are also unclear, with reports stating his family is managing his finances .
For now, the only confirmed facts are that Eamonn Holmes suffered a stroke in April 2026, he remains off air, and GB News has stated he is on leave and welcome to return.
Q: What happened to Eamonn Holmes?
Eamonn Holmes suffered a stroke in April 2026 and has been hospitalized since then. GB News confirmed he was “responding well to treatment” and asked for privacy as he focused on recovery.
Q: Will Eamonn Holmes return to GB News?
GB News has publicly stated he is “on leave” and that they look forward to welcoming him back. However, unnamed sources have claimed executives are planning for a future without him, a claim the channel denies.
Q: Who is covering Eamonn Holmes’ GB News breakfast show?
Alex Armstrong initially stepped in to present in his absence. His regular co-host Ellie Costello has continued fronting the programme with various stand-in presenters, including Stephen Dixon.
Q: What is Eamonn Holmes’ current health situation?
He has a long history of health issues including spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and mobility problems. In May 2025, he fell live on air and was hospitalized after a previous fall at home.
Q: What is happening with Eamonn Holmes’ divorce from Ruth Langsford?
Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who married in 2010, announced their separation in May 2024. A court hearing for a financial settlement is reportedly scheduled for November 2026, with their joint estate estimated at around £10 million.
