Ruth Langsford Discusses Future Dating Plans and Therapy After Eamonn Holmes Divorce
Ruth Langsford has publicly stated she is 'open' to the possibility of dating someone new following her divorce from Eamonn Holmes. The Loose Women presenter, aged 65, separated from Holmes, 66, in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage, marking the end of a 27-year relationship that had captivated public attention.
Moving On at Different Paces
While Ruth is believed to have remained single since the highly publicised split, Eamonn Holmes did not take long to move on. He has since struck up a relationship with relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, who is 44 years old and 22 years his junior. This contrast in their post-divorce journeys has been noted by fans and media alike.
In a recent interview on Heart FM's Breakfast Show, co-host Amanda Holden directly asked Ruth if she was 'open to another relationship'. Ruth responded thoughtfully, saying, 'Never say never. Right now I'm perfectly happy, I've got a full life and great friends and lots of work. I've said I'm going forward with an open mind and an open heart.'
Rejecting Modern Dating Apps
When co-host Jamie Theakston pointed out that the modern dating world is very different and questioned if dating apps were on her agenda, Ruth laughed and firmly stated, 'Oh god, I won't be swiping.' She elaborated, 'If I'm going to do it, Jamie, I want to do it the old-fashioned way. You know, that I might just walk out of here, bump into somebody and go 'oh sorry' and then find myself having a coffee with them. I don't know, but I won't be swiping anyone.'
Amanda Holden then asked if Ruth's new book, Feeling Fabulous: Be Your Best Self, No Matter what Life Throws at You, contains tips and tricks on moving on. Ruth quipped, 'got no tricks', but when Amanda insisted, 'I bet you have, I bet you've got new tricks up your sleeve,' a smiling Ruth teased, 'Nothing I can discuss here!'
The Role of Therapy in Healing
Ruth admitted last week that she has turned to therapy to help her through this challenging period. Speaking to her friend Rylan Clark on BBC Radio 2, she shared, 'I've had counselling and it's the best thing I ever did.' She explained that a friend recommended seeing a counsellor who had helped her through a difficult divorce, initially resisting the idea by saying, 'I don't need to see a counsellor, to tell me I'm sad'.
However, her friend persisted, and Ruth eventually agreed, 'to shut her up, to be honest'. She now reflects, 'It's the best thing I ever did and I'm still doing it.' Ruth highlighted the difference between friends and a counsellor, noting, 'With your friends they're always on your side really and they will stand by you whatever decisions you make or however you're feeling, they'll hold you up. A counsellor is very different, they look at the bigger picture, they don't know you and they never tell you what to do. She's never told me what to do, she's just guided me to think in different ways about things.'
She shared a particularly impactful piece of advice from her counsellor: 'Find your light.' Ruth explained, 'Everything felt so dark and she said, 'Just use that energy that you're feeling anger and sadness, try and bring that energy here and find your light'.' This guidance has resonated with many who have heard her story, offering a glimpse into her personal healing process.
