Ruth Langsford has spoken of the ongoing pain of losing her sister Julia to suicide, admitting that more than a year on, the tragedy still feels like yesterday. The This Morning presenter said the circumstances of Julia's death in June 2019 have left her and her family with questions they will never be able to answer.
In an interview with Prima magazine, the 60-year-old reflected on her grief and the difficult period that followed, during which she temporarily stepped back from her presenting duties on This Morning and Loose Women. She described the loss as 'tragic and difficult for all of us', but said her sister would have wanted her to live a happy life.
'When someone takes their own life, it leaves you with so many questions that can't be answered,' Ruth explained. 'I'm lucky that I have a loving husband and a good family, and all I can do is live a happy life in her memory.' She also said she has learned that it is acceptable to cry when needed, adding: 'I have a good old cry in the shower and feel better for it.'
The presenter, who was supported through her grief by her husband Eamonn Holmes, encouraged women struggling to balance work and home life to take time for themselves. She spoke of the importance of seeing friends, exercising and spending time with her son Jack, saying: 'We need to take a breath and a step back sometimes.'
The full interview appears in Prima's October issue, on sale September 4. Anyone struggling with mental health can contact the Samaritans free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.
