Television presenter Ruth Langsford has spoken candidly for the first time about the profoundly difficult period she endured following her separation from her husband of 14 years, Eamonn Holmes.
The 65-year-old Loose Women star confirmed the couple's split in May 2024, ending a relationship that had spanned 27 years. Now, she is opening up about the emotional turmoil and her journey towards healing and self-discovery.
Navigating the Darkness
Ruth confessed that the initial 18 months after the separation were particularly bleak. She has been receiving counselling since the split and continues to use it as a tool to help her process her emotions. Speaking with determination, she described a significant shift in her outlook.
"I definitely see light in the future where I didn't before," she revealed. "Before, I saw darkness and was thinking, 'Oh my God, what's going to happen?'"
In a powerful statement of resilience, she referenced the classic Gloria Gaynor anthem, stating, "But now the fear has gone, because what do you do? Do you crumble? Do you lay down and die? Oh no, not I. I will survive."
Embracing a New Chapter
While the separation was painful, Ruth is now looking ahead with a sense of excitement. She confirmed that she is not ruling out the possibility of a new relationship or even marriage in the future, though she is not actively searching.
"Never say never to starting a new relationship," she said. "I haven't been put off having a relationship. I haven't even been put off marriage, but I'm definitely not actively looking, and part of that is because I've realised I'm actually quite good on my own."
She shares a 23-year-old son, Jack, with Eamonn, and took a break from her role on Loose Women when the split was announced, returning to the panel in July 2024. The separation was compounded by Eamonn's swift move into a new romance with partner Katie Alexander.
Ruth praised the benefits of her counselling sessions, calling them "very powerful and useful." She explained, "The end of a very long relationship takes a lot of unravelling. Counselling helps you move on from it, to not be held back."
Professional Resilience and New Passions
Beyond her personal life, Ruth is also demonstrating professional fortitude. She has returned to her full-time duties on Loose Women, though the ITV show faces budget cuts that will reduce its annual broadcast from 52 weeks to 30.
With a pragmatic outlook, Ruth stated, "Television is an exciting job but if it stopped tomorrow, I'd do something else." She added that she would consider working in a garden centre due to her love of gardening.
Fortunately, her career remains diverse. She maintains a successful clothing line with QVC and is set to launch an Autumn/Winter 2026 collection. In a significant new venture, Ruth has also begun writing her first book, titled Feeling Fabulous, which is scheduled for release early next year.
On a more personal note, Ruth has rediscovered a passion for Pilates, which she does almost daily. "I'm hooked!" she exclaimed. "It's not about weight loss, but strength and movement. I don't want to be someone who falls over because they've lost coordination and core strength."
This renewed focus on fitness, combined with her counselling and positive outlook, signals a woman firmly embracing her new life chapter with strength and optimism.
