Unwavering in his support for Manchester United, Eamonn Holmes once claimed he would rather cheat on wife Ruth Langsford than betray his beloved team.
It was 2016, and the presenting duo were at the height of their powers, beamed into millions of living rooms on This Morning, their easy affability a draw for viewers.
But ten years after he made the boast on national television, things have sensationally fallen apart for the broadcaster. His wife is now estranged from him amid their divorce, his health has dramatically deteriorated – and the latest blow could be one of the hardest yet.
Because the Daily Mail can reveal that Eamonn, 66, has now lost his role on the board of the Manchester United Foundation. He has held the position for nearly 19 years – almost the entirety of the Foundation’s existence.
The charity, established in 2006, funds and delivers educational and community outreach programmes which it says help young people make positive choices in their lives, by improving their health, social wellbeing and employability.
Now the veteran presenter is parting ways with the club he has been devoted to since he was a young boy going to matches with his late father.
Official filings at Companies House show Eamonn ‘resigned’ from his role as director on March 1. However, due to filing errors, the termination of his role was resubmitted to Companies House on April 14.
A source told the Mail that the club had imposed a mandatory ‘break’ on the star, despite his years of service.
Eamonn Holmes poses with former footballer Peter Schmeichel ahead of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Testimonial match between Manchester United and RCD Espanyol at Old Trafford in 2008
Eamonn Holmes presenting GB News. His wife is now estranged from him amid their divorce and his health has dramatically deteriorated
‘Eamonn loves Manchester United and the Foundation; he is one of the longest-serving members on the board,’ said the insider.
‘He wouldn’t think of walking away, even while he grapples with health issues. It is an added blow to him, amongst everything he is currently going through.
‘However, standard practice means each member should not exceed nine consecutive years on the board, as they could be deemed “non-independent” and not working objectively. It is only a ceiling benchmark, and it is possible to remain on for longer.
‘While Eamonn has served two consecutive stints, on this occasion the current chair of the board has used their discretion to implement a mandatory “break” which has resulted in Eamonn stepping aside.
‘It is ultimately out of Eamonn’s control. While it is believed Eamonn could one day return to the board, it is unclear how long the enforced break is.’
Tellingly, when contacted by the Mail, representatives for Eamonn would not confirm whether he had chosen to resign from the board of his own accord.
Recently, the charity named a new CEO, Ashley Hackett, who took over from John Shiels after his 18-year tenure.
Eamonn departed the Foundation’s board along with fellow journalist and television presenter Virginia Buckley, 58.
Despite the pair losing their roles, they have not updated their social media profiles, which still proudly display their former connection to the club.
The charity’s website, however, has removed them from its list of board members.
It will be a crushing blow to Eamonn, whose relationship with Manchester United runs deeper than that of a typical supporter. He was personally invited by legendary Man U star George Best’s family to lead his funeral in 2005, following the footballer’s death. Eamonn described the day as one of his ‘proudest’ and his role as master of ceremonies as one of the ‘most important duties of my life’.
And it compounds his personal woes, coming just weeks before he suffered a stroke, forcing him indefinitely off-air as presenter of a GB News breakfast programme. Eamonn’s girlfriend Katie Alexander, who is 22 years his junior, has been supporting him.
His eldest son, Declan, 37, who is managing his father’s affairs while he recovers, said the stroke had come as a ‘shock’ to the family. Eamonn is still in the process of divorcing his estranged wife and former co-star Ruth, 66.
While Eamonn recovers from his stroke, his colleagues at GB News have grown increasingly concerned for his wellbeing, with the mood music at the broadcaster being that the veteran should not return to his role and should ‘bow out gracefully’.
He had previously been accused of ‘falling asleep’ on air while presenting with his co-anchor Ellie Costello, though Eamonn fiercely denied this, explaining he was checking his microphone.
Younger colleagues who have grown up watching Eamonn on screen have a great deal of respect for him, though they say he is ‘too ill’ to work full-time.
One insider said: ‘The best thing for Eamonn to do now is retire. He has had an incredible career and has been a big part of attracting a wider audience to GB News.
‘The early starts are taxing enough on a fit and healthy person. They have visibly been taking a toll on Eamonn before his stroke. He could return to broadcasting for special occasions, or cover shifts when colleagues are on their annual leave.’
Indeed, the former ITV presenter has been plagued with never-ending health problems in recent years. His mobility issues first started in 2016, when he underwent a double hip replacement.
Though the surgery was successful, he has endured severe and chronic pain since slipping three discs and suffering a dislocated pelvis. He had spinal surgery and has relied on the use of a wheelchair for the past several years.
Eamonn Holmes spotted at a football match. He recently shared his frustration at no longer being able to utilise his £15,000-a-year season ticket seats, because they could not accommodate his wheelchair
Eamonn Holmes with the team’s then manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2012
It was Eamonn’s health woes that resulted in his relationship with the club changing. He recently shared his frustration at no longer being able to utilise his £15,000-a-year season ticket seats, because they could not accommodate his wheelchair. He instead gifted them to his son, who he said is a ‘United nut’.
However, his former prestigious position on the Foundation’s board meant Eamonn could access an exclusive suite at Old Trafford reserved for the trustees, which is wheelchair accessible.
Speaking to a red-top newspaper in March, Eamonn explained: ‘I sit on the Manchester United Foundation board, and therefore I can get access to the directors’ box area where it’s more suited to somebody in a wheelchair, like me.’
For Eamonn, the club hasn’t just been about football; it has been a family tradition and way of bonding with his own grown sons. Indeed, Eamonn previously conceded how parents have very little in common with their children but said, ‘My whole family circle is Manchester United Red’.
Eamonn, who has Declan, 37, Rebecca, 34, and Niall, 32, from his first marriage to Gabrielle Holmes, would regularly spend weekends at Old Trafford with his children, including Jack, 23, whom he shares with Loose Women star Ruth.
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Eamonn would proudly share photographs taken from their season ticket holder seats on social media. He has recalled how his first time at a match resulted in him being arrested by police on suspicion of terror offences.
The Belgian Red Devils were playing Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Eamonn, his father and brothers travelled by ferry from Belfast.
Once they docked in Liverpool, his father, Leonard, did not have identification. ‘Terrified’ Eamonn was arrested with his family by the Special Branch under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. They were only released thanks to their local GP, who was on board and vouched for his father.
Attending games has long been nostalgic for Eamonn. He previously admitted: ‘Every time I go to a match, it brings me back to when I was eight or nine.’
Tragically for Eamonn, that all-important connection to his beloved team is now no more.
