Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

This Morning: Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford finding being replaced ‘difficult to understand’

Pair are said to be ‘disappointed’ after being dropped from Friday presenting spot

Isobel Lewis
Friday 04 December 2020 07:31 EST
Comments
This Morning viewer reunited with friend in care home after 73 years apart

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford are reportedly “disappointed” by the decision to drop them from Fridays on This Morning.

The married couple have presented ITV’s daytime talk show since 2006, where they host Friday morning’s show in place of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

However, ITV confirmed last week that this spot would be taken over by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in 2021, with Holmes and Langsford covering during the school holidays.

Loose Women presenter Gloria Hunniford, who is a close friend of Holmes and Langsford, told the Daily Mirror that the decision by ITV to demote the pair as they tried to “cater [to] every age group” had come as a shock.

“That one was very hard to understand - I don’t fully understand the reasons behind it,” she said.

“I’ve talked to Eamonn since, and he’s clearly disappointed. I think they find it very difficult to understand why the change.”

Earlier this week, Rylan Clark-Neal voiced his support for Holmes and Langsford, saying: “Ruth and Eamonn are my telly mum and dad, they have been since day one. They have been my biggest supporters out of the entire industry.”

Celebrating her move to a regular presenting spot on This Morning, Hammond said: “I never dreamt that when I first joined This Morning, initially for a few months, that I would still be there 19 years later.

“I genuinely care about the show and the viewers who watch, so it's a huge privilege and honour to be hosting a show I adore so much. I'm just really excited to be doing even more of what I love alongside the lovely Dermot.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in