Eamonn Holmes has stated that someone unexpected helped him get through two years of health suffering – Jo O’Meara from S Club 7.
Speaking about his horrific accident in October 2022, the 63-year-old told out about his health concerns and how they’ve left him dependant on ‘a frame, crutches, or a wheelchair to get around’.
‘I would give anything to be able to walk my dog or play a game of golf like I used to,’ admitted Eamonn, who recently returned to work at his new GB News anchor position after a four-month absence due to illness.
His new job occurred after he and his wife Ruth Langsford were replaced as This Morning hosts by Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond in November 2021, after 15 years of hosting the Friday slot together.
Eamonn had no idea his first year at his new work, which began in January 2022, would be fraught with health issues.
After three slipped discs in his back left his right leg with limited movement in early 2021, the Belfast-born personality was already walking with a stick, before a horrifying near-fatal fall down the stairs in his Surrey mansion injured the presenter’s shoulder.
‘Ruth came rushing down the stairs. She kept saying, “You’re fine, everything’s okay, you’re fine.” I said, “Ruthie, there is a bone sticking out of my shoulder – I’m not fine,”‘ Eamonn told the Daily Mail.
But it wasn’t until he resorted to social media to complain about his severe back pain caused by slipped discs that S Club 7’s Jo O’Meara stepped in.
Jo’s suggestion came when the TV presenter travelled home to Belfast in May to host an event in honour of his friend Gloria Hunniford, but was quickly rerouted to A&E due to bladder and bowel problems caused by his spinal ailment.
Eamonn was relieved when he was sent for emergency surgery as a consequence, but he was saddened when it was cancelled at the last minute.
The seasoned anchor was all set up on the operating table, and the surgeon was all masked and ready to go, when he decided it was too complicated to operate without additional examination.
Things were difficult when Eamonn returned to a hectic work schedule in the UK, and he had to rely largely on his GB news co-host Isabel Webster to get him from point A to point B.
Jo, who had just experienced similar back problems, contacted Eamonn on social media and recommended a surgeon.
‘She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon. I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate,’ he said.
With Jo’s assistance, Eamonn scheduled the surgery for late September.
The operation mostly worked and the discomfort went away, but Eamonn was left with a shaky left leg that has a habit of collapsing unexpectedly.
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Once home, the upshot of his leg giving way unexpectedly was six falls in 10 days despite never having fallen before – and the truly serious fall on October 11.
It was around 2 a.m., and ‘Ruthie’ was in bed, when Eamonn attempted to climb up their spiral staircase to join her, when his leg collapsed unexpectedly and he slid back down, landing on the stone floor at the bottom.
He was then detained for two hours waiting for an ambulance with a bone jutting out of his shoulder and blood ‘pouring’ from his mouth.
Eamonn’s shoulder has mostly healed, but he still has mobility limitations, and his knee could give way at any time.
But it’s not all bad news, as presenter pal Rylan Clark helped Eamonn see the lighter side when he visited the GB News presenter at home and tested out his new stair lift.
‘Can I just say, I know you’ve been through it dad but, you’ve got an easy life here,’ joked Rylan, mid-lift, after giving camerawoman Ruth a regal wave and a chuckle.
Eamonn seemed to enjoy himself too, as he commented on Rylan’s post: ‘Welcome to The Fun Palace ! Great night my friend 👏👏👏👏👏.’
