Ruth Langsford: Eamonn Holmes speaks out after hosting This Morning without grieving wife

Ruth Langsford’s sister Julia died yesterday after a long illness. Earlier today, Eamonn Holmes, 59, presented This Morning with Rylan Clark-Neal, 30, who stepped in for Ruth, 59, who will be be taking some time off from TV commitments following her family’s loss. On the ITV show, Eamonn fought back tears as he told viewers: “You may already be aware of the terrible bereavement that Ruth had yesterday on her social media. She made this post to inform everyone,” he added, beginning to read Ruth’s Instagram post which she shared with her 676,000 followers yesterday.

However, the presenter was overcome with emotion, his voice cracking as he tried to read out the tribute.

Rylan quickly took over and, after he had finished reading, Eamonn said: “No-one understands more than our friend and our colleague Rylan, who has been a great comfort to Ruth and a great help by stepping in today for her.”

“We know Ruth’s watching, and we’re sending you all our love, we love you dearly,” the former X Factor star explained. “And Ruth’s going to need time to deal with this, and so are you, for that matter. But I couldn’t not be here today.”

Eamonn went on to thank his co-star, telling viewers: “Rylan was the first person we phoned when we heard this news, and you are a great support to Ruth in all of this.”

When This Morning finished, Eamonn took to Twitter to thank Rylan once again, writing in view of his 989,000 followers: “What is it they say… A friend in need is a friend indeed.

“From @RuthieeL and me, for on and off screen, thank you @Rylan.”

@EamonnHolmes @RuthieeL. Love you both the world x.”

“You’re a fine man mate,” his co-presenter replied.

Yesterday, Ruth spoke out about the death of her older sister, sharing a picture of the pair of them together, smiling with their arms around either other.

“My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness,” she wrote. “My heart is completely broken.

“She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever.

“As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family,” the ITV favourite continued. “Thank you for your understanding.”

A source subsequently told The Sun Ruth was being taken care of by her son Jack, 17, and husband Eamonn, who were “comforting her at home”.

“Julia had been unwell for quite some time but this has shaken Ruth to the core,” they said.

In 2010, Julia and Ruth spoke to the Daily Express about their childhood and growing up together, with the former saying they were “very close as little girls” despite the three-year age gap.

“Ruth and I are very different,” she said. “She is the confident one — I would hate to be in the limelight like she is — but she has worked her way up and I’m very proud of her.”

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