RUTH Langsford and Eamonn Holmes’ divorce could spiral into an increasingly drawn-out battle, with pals admitting they hope the pair will avoid a Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie-style showdown.
The former This Morning presenters, who announced their separation in May last year, remain entangled in legal wrangling following disputes over their finances and needing to finalise arrangements for their dog, Maggie.
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The process is said to be frustrating not only for Ruth and Eamonn’s new girlfriend Katie Alexander, but also those closest to the couple.
A family source told The Sun: “It’s been taking forever on sorting the divorce, and it’s frustrating everyone.
“Eamonn took a week off from GB News specifically to push things along.
“Ruth has been patient, but she’s now saying, ‘Come on, this needs to be sorted.’
“She wanted it done by her birthday [March 17], but here we are.”
One issue that both sides want to finalise is Maggie the dog.
It’s been over a year since Eamonn has seen her, which has been particularly painful as he considers her a second child.
They continued: “Eamonn posted a video of her recently, but it was actually from over a year ago.
“Everyone’s asking why the divorce isn’t done yet. It’s all tied up with finances.
“At this point, friends and family are hoping it doesn’t turn into a Brad and Angelina situation.”
Their divorce, marked by eight years of legal battles and disputes, stands as one of Hollywood’s most prolonged and controversial divorces.
Eamonn and Ruth, both 65, broke up last May.
The Sun on Sunday revealed how Eamonn was confronted by a devastated Ruth after she discovered him chatting on the phone to another woman in April last year at their Surrey home.
The pair had a showdown, but a few weeks later she found messages on his shared laptop — triggering their marriage split.
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It was the first time Ruth found out Eamonn was secretly in contact with another woman.
A source said of the phone row: “Eamonn thought he was in the house alone while he was chatting on the phone.
“But Ruth could hear him from elsewhere in the house and was totally horrified.
“She confronted Eamonn.
“It was quite a shock — for both of them.
“Eamonn had no idea Ruth was in the house at the time.
“It was a huge blow to Ruth, particularly as she had been devoted to caring for Eamonn during his physical health issues.
“To discover he was sharing intimate chats with another woman was a real kick in the teeth for Ruth.”
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Eamonn has since gone public about his romance with relationship counsellor Katie, who at 43 is 22 years his junior.
Friends say Eamonn, who has been seen using a wheelchair due to mobility issues, may soon propose.
Following the split, Ruth, who was with Eamonn for 27 years, said: “I’m not delighted my marriage is over, but I’ve accepted it.
“I’m trying to now embrace the fact I’m single and can make choices that are just about me.
“Divorce is very painful. Most don’t do it in the public eye, with everybody having an opinion. But that’s the nature of my job.
“I’ve always had that and if you can’t cope, you shouldn’t be doing this job.”
She also insisted it hasn’t put her off finding love again.
She told Woman & Home magazine: “I’m quite fine being on my own, but not forever.
“Relationship breakdowns are very difficult, but you deal with it and have to move on.
“You can let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It’s a choice.”
Ruth hosts Loose Women twice a week and covers Thursday on shopping channel QVC, banking £2.5million last year.
Ruth and Eamonn’s relationship timeline
Before the shock split announcement, Ruth and Eamonn seemed like one of the strongest couples on UK TV – even with their signature bickering style.
Here’s how their romance played out…
1997 – The couple first meet after being introduced by mutual friends, two years after Eamonn splits from his first wife, Gabrielle, with whom he has three children.
1997-2002 – To be respectful to Gabrielle, the couple kept their relationship out of the limelight. Ruth told Daily Mail: “I thought it spoke volumes about the sort of man he was, the sort of father he was and the integrity he had. It made me love him more, not less.”
2002 – Ruth and Eamonn welcome their son, Jack, to the family.
2005 – Eamonn finalises his divorce with Gabrielle.
2006 – The pair begin to host Friday episodes of This Morning together.
2010 – Eamonn proposes to Ruth while at the Cheltenham Races, after asking Ruth’s mother for her hand.
June 2010 – Eamonn and Ruth marry at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire.
2016 – Eamonn undergoes a double hip replacement in the first of many health battles.
June 2019 – On This Morning, Ruth and Eamonn say the secret to their happy marriage. Eamonn credits “compromise, consideration and lots of conjugal,” while Ruth said it was “laughter and an equal marriage”.
November 2020 – Ruth and Eamonn are replaced on their regular Friday slot by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in a ‘show shake-up’.
December 2021 – After a year of being moved to the bank holiday presenting slot, both Eamonn and Ruth left This Morning.
January 2022 – Eamonn debuted on GB News, while Ruth stayed with ITV in her long-standing role on Loose Women.
September 2022 – Eamonn undergoes spinal surgery after years of back issues including a trapped sciatic nerve.
November 2022 – Eamonn falls down the stairs of his Surrey home with Ruth and breaks his shoulder, requiring a new operation.
September 2023 – Eamonn has a spine and neck stretching procedure as part of his year-long recovery.
May 2024 – Ruth and Eamonn announce they have split after 14 years of marriage and a 27-year relationship.
September 2024 – Eamonn was spotted on a luxury holiday in Barcelona with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander. Ruth calls in a ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer.
