Eamonn Holmes attends the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel (Image: Getty Images)
Despite his ongoing chronic pain issues, was seen beaming as he supported himself with a walking frame at a Christmas lunch event.
Donning a sharp black suit and tie, the 65 year old former host lit up the photographers’ flashes during the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel on a lively Tuesday afternoon. Eamonn elegantly navigated the red carpet, striking poses for snaps prior to savouring the seasonal banquet.
The broadcaster arrived at the star-studded event alongside his girlfriend Katie Alexander.
The Northern Irish broadcaster recently found himself single after a mutual separation from , his spouse of 14 years and partner for over two decades. He has acknowledged a year fraught with hardship, expressing his eagerness for its conclusion.
Eamonn, simultaneously grappling with serious health setbacks over the past twelve months an ordeal punctuated by his break up with Ruth, which appears to have turned sour, and rapid news of dating Katie Alexander, 43 admitted: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it.”
Eamonn Holmes was all smiles as he walked the red carpet (Image: Getty)
The Belfast-born figure then shared a message of optimism: “But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.”
The television presenter has been battling various health issues for some time and has shared his concern that he may lose the ability to walk without assistance. Having postponed hip replacement surgery for thirty years, he finally decided to undergo the operation for both hips in 2016.
Eamonn took on the significant procedure in an attempt to alleviate the excruciating pain in his hips, legs, and back which left him with “sleepless nights” and rendered him unable to drive or engage in physical activity.
Following his double hip replacement, Eamonn made a promising recovery and even managed to shed three stone as part of his efforts to improve his overall health. He later expressed regret for not opting for surgery sooner, admitting to the Telegraph: “Waiting was the worst decision I ever made,” adding, “After having both of mine replaced aged 55, I haven’t had a single regret: in fact, it’s been life-changing.”
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Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford announced their split earlier this year (Image: Getty Images)
Eamonn Holmes shares video from rehab amid chronic pain battle (Image: Eamonn Holmes Instagram)
Eamonn’s most pressing health challenges began in the early months of 2021.
The esteemed broadcaster didn’t hesitate to reveal his struggles with chronic pain to his social media audience, posting: “A month ago I did something to my back. I don’t know how I did it getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I’ve got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven’t got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can’t sleep at night.”
The celebrity discovered he had three slipped discs, a condition where the soft tissue cushion between the spine’s bones protrudes outwards. These were impacting Eamonn’s right leg mobility, necessitating the use of a walking stick.
He received epidural injections to alleviate his pain, which he said “helped to a degree but didn’t cure the problem”.
Eamonn Holmes inundated with support after chronic pain update (Image: @EamonnHolmes /Instagram)
In May 2022, Eamonn travelled to Belfast to host an event for friend Gloria Hunniford and ended up in A&E due to bladder and bowel complications caused by his spinal issues. He spent nine days at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors deeming surgery too risky, and returned home with problems in both legs.
Unexpectedly, he received advice from S Club 7 original member Jo O’Meara. “She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon,” he revealed to Mail Online.
“I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate.”
Eamonn underwent surgery in September 2022, stating: “It went well – the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant. The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly.”
In his quest for recovery, Eamonn has tried a multitude of remedies, from back stretching to daily physiotherapy sessions and even taking ice-cold showers. Recent images have shown him working with a physiotherapist in London’s Notting Hill, initially using two walking sticks and later a wheelchair for mobility.
He was also spotted using a mobility scooter while on holiday in the US.
However, despite his efforts, Eamonn’s mobility has been slow to show improvement, and he has expressed his concerns that he may never regain the ability to walk unaided. “I have tried every treatment but you go: ‘Maybe I’ll never get out of it,’ which is a harsh reality to face,” he admitted.