It was a sad, sudden end..

Eamonn & Ruth's split 'only happened in the past few months'

- NICOLA METHVEN

THE breakdown of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford's marriage was very recent, their friends say.

Some reports have claimed that the TV couple, who have announced they are divorcing, had been living completely separate lives since 2022.

But while both have suffered immense personal challenges in recent years as they coped with bereavement, work and health issues, they have been very much living together and supporting each other until "the past few months".

Eamonn, who hosts on GB News, and Ruth, who presents on Loose Women and shopping channel QVC, began this year muddling through together at their home in Weybridge, Surrey.

"They did not split up two years ago, one year ago or even six months ago," one friend said. "Their break-up has been very recent and only happened in the past few months.

"At the beginning of the year they were living together and working in the normal patterns, except for when Eamonn was off for reasons relating to his health.

"To suggest that this has all been going on for years is simply wrong. It hasn't. They have been juggling things and getting by as they have for a very long time. Their marriage broke down very recently and while it is a sad time for them both, they are absolutely determined to keep things amicable."

Friends have suggested that the idea Ruth is driving the divorce is also wide of the mark. "That's not the case but whatever has caused them to divorce is private," a pal said. "It is between them."