Eamonn Holmes Opens Up on ‘Terrible’ Health Struggles and Unanswered Questions
Veteran television presenter Eamonn Holmes, 66, has candidly discussed the profound impact of his ongoing health battles, admitting a sense of uncertainty about whether a cure will ever be found. His health took a significant downturn in 2021 when he suffered a dislocated pelvis, followed by three slipped discs. This cascade of injuries necessitated multiple spinal surgeries in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Consequently, Eamonn now faces considerable mobility challenges, relying heavily on a wheelchair and the assistance of carers for daily tasks such as dressing. The GB News host has revealed the deep personal toll that his loss of mobility and persistent, debilitating back pain have taken on his life.
“Well, obviously I’ve been better,” Eamonn shared. “I’ve got this back and paralysis problem which has been with me now for three years.”
He continued, “It’s terrible to come to terms with. The thing is, nobody seems to know what the problem is, so I just stick with it and hopefully, they’ll find a cure one day.” When asked if he experiences pain daily, Eamonn responded, “Paralysis and mobility then pain. It’s hard to get about. This has affected me in so many ways.”
A Brave Face and a Passion for Presenting
Despite facing a significant array of health issues, Eamonn presented a resilient front this past week. He attended an “Audience With” event at The Hippodrome Casino, participating in a Q&A session with fellow TV presenter Hayley Palmer. Arriving on stage with the aid of a stroller, Eamonn expressed his gratitude for his presenting role at GB News, underscoring his continued passion for working in television, a sentiment that contrasts with some public reports.
“The lovely thing and great thing about GB News is you can sit down and talk, talk to the audience, which is great,” he explained. “But I’ll not be running along to do the weather forecast or anything like that.”
Eamonn elaborated on his love for his profession, distinguishing it from the physically demanding labour his father and brothers undertook. “I love work. It’s not like a day’s work like my father works or my brothers – they work. My hands haven’t done a day’s work in my life,” he stated. “You notice the difference when you’re not doing it the way other people are doing it in real life. It’s the most amazing thing. I’d say to any of you, do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life, and that’s a lovely philosophy in life.”
Prior to his tenure at GB News, which began in 2022, the Irish presenter was a familiar face on ITV’s morning show, co-hosting with his ex-wife Ruth Langsford from 2006 until 2021. The programme has since seen new regular presenters, Cat Deeley, 49, and Ben Shephard, 51, step in following the departures of Holly Willoughby, 45, and Phillip Schofield, 63, in 2023. Eamonn shared his perspective on the new presenting lineup, acknowledging their efforts: “I don’t see them doing anything wrong. I was out with Cat’s husband the other day on St Patrick’s Day.”
Tales from the Interview Chair: Mariah Carey and the Ultimate Diva
During the Q&A session, Eamonn also delved into his extensive career, spanning over 40 years in television. He recounted some of his most memorable interviews, offering a particularly candid assessment of American singer Mariah Carey, whom he labelled the “biggest diva of them all” and his “most hated TV interview of all time.”
“She’s always a complete pain in the a**,” Eamonn declared. “I don’t understand why people give them this superiority and presence and whatever. I’ve interviewed her a number of times, and she’s always difficult. I wouldn’t care less if I never saw her again.”
He further elaborated on a particularly infamous encounter, revealing that he once stormed out of a scheduled chat with the singing superstar. The incident occurred after Carey reportedly arrived four hours late for the interview and then decided to take a nap rather than commence their conversation.
Eamonn recounted how Mariah’s team informed him she was “tired” as she had only woken up at 9 am. This explanation left him unimpressed, given he had been awake for five hours prior to their scheduled start time. In a move that reportedly caused significant consternation among Carey’s entourage, Eamonn decided to lie down on the sofa next to her, intending to proceed with the interview.
This bold action apparently sparked fury from Mariah’s team, leading Eamonn to declare the interview cancelled and walk away. “Bearing in mind I’ve been up from four o’clock that particular day, so I’m going, ‘What the hell’s going on here?'” he explained. “So I said, ‘Right, if she’s not here in the next 10 minutes, I’m going.'”
He continued, “So she comes through the door, and she immediately lies down on the chaise-longue and closes her eyes. And I said, ‘What the fk is going on here?’ They said, ‘Ms Carey is very tired, she’s very tired, she’s been up from nine o’clock this morning.’ I said, ‘She’s been up from f***g nine o’clock? I’ve been up from four!’ And so I walked over and lay down beside her. I wouldn’t do it now, because things have changed.”
