‘She’s broken’: Eamonn Holmes breaks down with emotion while hosting This Morning as wife Ruth Langsford suffers ‘terrible bereavement’ after her sister’s death
- Ruth Langsford’s sister Julia has passed away aged 62 after battling a ‘very long illness’
- Eamonn hosted This Morning without his wife Ruth on Friday, his voice wavering as he explained to viewers why Ruth was absent
- Ruth, 59, had announced the sad news via her Twitter page on Thursday afternoon by posting a photo of the pair together in happier times
- She told her followers that she was ‘heartbroken’ to say goodbye to her ‘kind and gentle’ sibling
- The Loose Women panellist has reportedly been left in ‘deep shock’ and ‘devastated’ over her sister’s death
- A spokesperson for ITV confirmed that Ruth would be taking time off from her This Morning presenting duties
- Ruth’s sister, Julia, who was three years older than the TV star, was a landscape gardener and lived in Surrey with her husband Paul and daughter Katie
Eamonn Holmes became emotional as he presented This Morning on Friday without his wife Ruth Langsford following her sister’s tragic death.
The TV host, 59, began the show by informing viewers why Ruth wasn’t beside him, explaining her sister Julia had passed away aged 62 following a ‘very long illness’.
The presenter fought back tears as he read out Ruth’s heartbreaking tweet about her ‘terrible bereavement’, before later admitting his wife was ‘broken’ with grief.
Moving: Eamonn Holmes became emotional as he presented This Morning on Friday without his wife Ruth Langsford following her sister’s tragic death
Ruth is stepping back from her TV duties, including hosting This Morning on Fridays with Eamonn, as well as covering for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Eamonn said: ‘Good Morning and this is your Friday This Morning and before we get underway, let me just explain.
‘You may already be aware of the terrible bereavement that Ruth has yesterday, she made this post to inform everyone.’
His voice wavered while reading out Ruth’s tweet, thanking his co-host Rylan after he came to his rescue.
‘No on understands more than her friend and colleague Rylan who has been a great comfort by stepping into today’, Eamonn added.
Rylan said: ‘We know Ruth’s watching and we’re sending all our love, but I couldn’t not be here.’
Heartbreaking tweet: Ruth announced her sister Julia has passed away aged 62 after battling a ‘very long illness’ via her Twitter page on Thursday afternoon – and Eamonn fought back tears as he read out the post to viewers
Co-host: His voice wavered while reading out Ruth’s tweet, thanking his co-host Rylan after he came to his rescue
Support system: ‘No on understands more than her friend and colleague Rylan who has been a great comfort by stepping into today’, Eamonn added
Rylan said: ‘We know Ruth’s watching and we’re sending all our love, but I couldn’t not be here’
Eamonn explained: ‘Rylan was the first person I phoned when I heard this news, we’ve got each other and you’ve got us.’
The television presenter later admitted his wife was ‘broken’ with grief after Loose Women panellist Andrea McLean passed on her condolences to Ruth live on air.
Eamonn responded: ‘She’s broken. Thanks, guys.’
Kind-hearted viewers took to Twitter to express their condolences to both Ruth and Eamonn, suggesting he should also be taking a leave of absence from his presenting duties.
One tweeted: ”My heart aches for Ruth and Eamonn. I’m glad This Morning are talking about loss and grief rather than not addressing why Ruth isn’t there. #ThisMorning’.
‘Feel for poor Eamonn this morning as he read this out on @thismorning ITV, let him go home and be with Ruth rather than having to carry on with the show @EamonnHolmes’, another wrote.
A third shared: ‘My sincere condolences Ruth. You will be missed on Loose Women, and This Morning presenting with Eamonn. Time heals.’
Concerned: Kind-hearted viewers took to Twitter to express their condolences to both Ruth and Eamonn, suggesting he should also be taking a leave of absence from his presenting duties
Sad: Rylan himself also took to social media after hosting the show with Eamonn, describing Eamonn and Ruth as his ‘family’
Rylan himself also took to social media after hosting the show with Eamonn, writing: ‘Tough one today but family stick together @EamonnHolmes @RuthieeL love you both the world x.’
Ruth, 59, announced the sad news via her Twitter page on Thursday afternoon, telling her followers she was ‘heartbroken’ to say goodbye to her ‘kind and gentle’ sibling.
Julia has previously spoken of her battle with depression and how supportive Ruth had been, describing her as the ‘best sister anyone could have.’
Alongside a photograph of the pair together in happier times, Ruth wrote: ‘My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness. My heart is completely broken.
‘She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever. As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family. Thank you for your understanding.’
A spokesperson for ITV confirmed that Ruth would be taking time off from her This Morning presenting duties.
Family: Ruth’s sister, Julia, who was three years older than the TV star, was a landscape gardener and lived in Surrey with her husband Paul and daughter Katie (Ruth, their mother and Julia L-R pictured in 2018)
They said: ‘As Ruth has said she is taking time to grieve and she has our full support.’
And added: ‘Our thoughts and condolences are with Ruth and her family at this incredibly sad time.’
And the team at This Morning tweeted: ‘We’re sending all of our love and thoughts to Ruth at this incredibly sad time.’
Ruth has reportedly been left in ‘deep shock’ and ‘devastated’ over her sister’s death with the presenter said to have cancelled all her TV appearances.
A source told The Sun: ‘She adored Julia. They were very close – speaking all the time on the phone and enjoying girls’ days out.
‘Julia had been unwell for quite some time but this has shaken Ruth to the core.
‘Eammon and son Jack are comforting her at home but Ruth is in deep shock. It’s absolutely heartbreaking for the whole family.’
Time off: A spokesperson for ITV confirmed that Ruth would be taking time off from her This Morning presenting duties (Ruth pictured with her co-host and husband Eamonn Holmes in May)
MailOnline has contacted Ruth’s representative who had no further comment to add.
Ruth’s sister, Julia, who was three years older than the TV star, was a landscape gardener and lived in Lingford, Surrey, with her husband Paul and daughter Katie, 35.
Speaking in a joint interview with the Express in 2010, Julia spoke about her famous sister, she said: ‘In adult life I have suffered from depression, especially when I hit my fifties. I’m learning to deal with it now, but Ruth has been really supportive.
‘I’d phone her in tears and go and stay with her. She encourages me to have more confidence in myself and when I’m trying to do too much, she has taught me to say no and look after myself a bit more. She’s the best sister anyone could have.’
Supportive: Speaking in a joint interview with the Express in 2010, Julia said: ‘In adult life I have suffered from depression, especially when I hit my fifties. I’m learning to deal with it now, but Ruth has been really supportive.’ (Julia, Ruth and their mother L-R pictured in December 2018)
While Ruth added: ‘My sister is lovely. There were just the two of us children and she always looked out for me, right from the day I was born.’
The presenter last posted about her sister on social media in May, just three weeks ago, as she revealed that they had taken their mother, who is 87, to Chauffeur’s Flat garden in Tandridge, Surrey.
Sharing a video of the sprawling ladnscape, Ruth captioned it with: ‘Wonderful day out yesterday with my Mum & big Sis at the #chauffeursflatgarden in Tandridge.
‘A beautiful garden with amazing views over the Surrey hills. Worth a visit. #family #dayout #surrey #garden.’
Last family outing: The presenter last posted about her sister on social media in May, just three weeks ago, as she revealed that they had taken their mother (pictured), who is 87, to Chauffeur’s Flat garden in Tandridge, Surrey
Sweet: Sharing a video of the sprawling ladnscape, Ruth captioned it with: ‘Wonderful day out yesterday with my Mum & big Sis at the #chauffeursflatgarden in Tandridge…’
While the last snap of Ruth and her sister Julia was in December 2018 where the two siblings and their mother enjoyed afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason after visiting the theatre.
Posting a picture of the family together, she captioned it with: ‘Theatre matinee was followed by afternoon tea @fortnums Love the virtual fire….very cosy!’
The Loose Women panellist’s co-stars and friends were quick to send their condolences to the star.
Coleen Nolan, who lost her own sister Bernie in 2013 while her other sibling Linda currently has terminal cancer, led the well-wishes.
The singer turned presenter, 54, posted a heartbroken emoji followed by a collection of kisses.
Pals: The Loose Women panellist’s co-stars and friends were quick to send their condolences to star with Coleen Nolan leading the well-wishes (pictured together earlier this month)
Heartbreaking: Coleen, who lost her own sister Bernie in 2013 while her other sibling Linda currently has terminal cancer, posted a heartbroken emoji followed by a collection of kisses
Supportive pals: While Emmerdale actress and former Strictly Come Dancing co-star, Gemma Atkinson, put: ‘I’m so sorry Ruth [upset emoji] Sending lots of love to you all ❤️❤️.’
Mel Sykes commented: ‘Oh Ruth I’m so sorry x sending you so much love xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx.’
While Emmerdale actress and former Strictly Come Dancing co-star, Gemma Atkinson, put: ‘I’m so sorry Ruth [upset emoji] Sending lots of love to you all ❤️❤️.’
In 2016 Ruth broke down in tears on Loose Women as she spoke about how she doesn’t get to see her mother, who is 87, enough due to her hectic work schedule.
The presenter praised her sister Julia for ‘always being there’ and ‘doing a lot’ for their mum.
Upsetting: In 2016 Ruth broke down in tears on Loose Women as she spoke about how she doesn’t get to see her mother (pictured), who is 87, enough due to her hectic work schedule and praised her sister Julia for ‘always being there’ for their mum
She said: ‘My mum is in her eighties, and she doesn’t live that far from me. And my sister Julia is amazing, she lives a lot nearer to my mum and she does a lot for my mum. She’s always there and I’m always working.
‘My mum is fantastic, she never makes me feel guilty, she doesn’t do the “Hello stranger, I haven’t seen you for ages but I feel it.”‘
She added: ‘My mum’s not dependant, she’s actually very independent but you just feel like you might not have as many years as you would like and that you would like to spend that time. It’s a real struggle.
‘I have so few days when I am not working. I feel really torn. Every time we talk about it I think I must prioritise my mum more, I must make more room but it’s really hard. Life gets in the way. I have that definite working girl daughter guilt.’
A Surrey Police spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We were called to an address in Lingfield shortly on 16 June following reports of a concern for safety.
‘Officers attended and found that a woman in her 60s had sadly died.
‘We are treating the death as unexplained, but do not believe at this stage that there was anyone else involved. A file will be prepared and passed to the coroner.’
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