Ruth Langsford is enjoying time with pals after realising there’s “life after Eamonn Holmes” – and now, a year on from the couple’s shock split, she’s vowed to have fun
A year ago, her world was turned upside. But 12 months on, Loose Women presenter Ruth Langsford has turned heartache into happiness. At the start of 2024, Ruth’s life looked picture-perfect, to the outside world at least. She was a beloved daytime TV presenter, a devoted mum, and one half of British telly’s most enduring power couples. Yet behind the scenes, her 27-year relationship with Eamonn Holmes was crumbling, and on 25 May, the couple announced that they were in the “process of divorcing”, after 14 years of marriage.
But now, as the anniversary of her shock split from Belfast broadcaster Eamonn looms, a source claims that Ruth, 65, has not only turned a corner, but is happy, at peace and embracing single life on her own terms. The source tells OK!, “Ruth has had a tough year – but actually, she’s realised a lot of unexpected positives have come out of it. She’s really coming into her own now and is putting the heartache behind her.”
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“She’s learnt how to let her hair down and about the power of friendship – you learn who your friends are when you have a year from hell, and she has people around her who love and support her.”
“It’s not what she would have wanted, of course it’s not. Divorce wasn’t in her grand life plan. But she’s realising that there’s a brilliant, exciting life after Eamonn. She’s really put the work in on herself, and she is looking amazing after her glow-up! It’s been heartbreaking, but now she’s excited about the future.”
The cracks in Ruth and Eamonn’s union began to show when Ruth was reportedly left “devastated” after it was alleged that Eamonn, also 65, was secretly in contact with another woman. This led to a showdown, after which Ruth is reported to have found messages on Eamonn’s laptop that shocked her – and confirmed her worst fears, particularly as she had been caring for him.
He is still battling health issues following years of back problems and surgery. “Ruth was completely taken by surprise when she saw the messages,” a source told The Sun at the time. “She had no idea what had been going on between them. She was devastated.”
Despite that bombshell, Ruth remained dignified in public, focusing on work and the couple’s 23-year-old son, Jack. But behind the scenes, the divorce process dragged on, with rumours that there was even a bitter custody battle over their dog Maggie.
While Eamonn went public with his new relationship with 43-year-old relationship counsellor Katie Alexander in September, as the pair embarked on a cruise from Barcelona, Ruth took a different approach. She returned to Loose Women in July after an extended break and continued to build her successful QVC fashion line – from which reports suggest she took home £2.5 million in a year.
Ruth also leaned on her close friends for support and some much-needed fun, including Lizzie Cundy and Rylan Clark. Earlier this year, the famous pals were spotted enjoying a night out in London, with Ruth showcasing her dance moves and letting loose amid thestress of the divorce.
But, adjusting to her single life hasn’t been easy. In a candid interview in February, Ruth talked about the challenges of her split – but was full of grit, too. “Relationship breakdowns are very difficult, but you deal with it and have to move on. You can let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It’s a choice.”
She also reflected on the difficulties of going through a public divorce. “Divorce is very painful. Most don’t do it in the public eye, with everybody having an opinion. But that’s the nature of my job.” Despite the heartache, Ruth said she remained optimistic about the future. “I’m quite fine being on my own, but not forever,” she said.
With her telly career going strong, fashion line booming, her besties by her side and a sparkle back in her smile, Ruth has weathered the year from hell like a pro – and now it’s time for some sunshine after the rain…
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