Ruth Langsford Shares Journey Through 'Period of Darkness' After Marriage Split
Ruth Langsford has publicly detailed her emotional recovery from the breakdown of her marriage to fellow television presenter Eamonn Holmes, crediting close friendships and professional therapy for helping her navigate a challenging chapter. The Loose Women star, now 65, is promoting her new memoir titled Feeling Fabulous, which she describes as a guide to finding strength and positivity amidst life's adversities.
Emotional Toll of the Split
In an exclusive interview, Langsford reflected on the profound impact of her separation from Holmes, which was announced in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage and over two decades together. She admitted that the initial months were marked by deep sadness and a sense of loss, with many days beginning in tears. "When you have been with somebody for a long time—26 years in our case—and had imagined what your future would look like, there is a sense of deep loss," she explained. "I expected Eamonn and me to be together forever, and knowing this was not going to happen was incredibly hard to come to terms with."
Path to Recovery Through Support and Therapy
Langsford emphasized the crucial role her female friendships played in her healing process, describing how friends "literally picked me off the floor" during low points. She also highlighted the importance of therapy, which she initially resisted but ultimately found transformative. "Some people cope with things better than others, but when you do come through a period of darkness, you feel proud of yourself," she said. "I’m still standing with whatever life has thrown at me, and I’m proud of that. And I think that you can do that if you dig deep."
Moving Forward with Positivity
While Langsford has accepted the end of her marriage, she remains open to new relationships and opportunities, adopting a "never say never" attitude. Her book encourages readers to embrace life's challenges and find their own version of "fabulous," whether through social connections, new experiences, or simple pleasures like a quiet night in. "Surround yourself with fabulous people," she advised. "Don’t have toxic people in your life, if you can help it. Surround yourself with people who support you, have fun, make yourself say yes to things."
Addressing Personal Tragedies in Memoir
Beyond her divorce, Langsford's memoir also touches on other deeply personal topics, including her parents' battles with dementia and the suicide of her sister Julia. She described writing about these experiences as cathartic, hoping to offer comfort to others facing similar struggles. "I hope that if there’s one person struggling with either of those things—with Alzheimer’s, dementia, suicide of a family member—that something I might talk about could help them in some small way," she shared.
Future Outlook and Projects
Looking ahead, Langsford expressed optimism for 2026, with plans for travel, her fashion range at QVC, and an open mind to new ventures. "I can’t believe that here I am with a book I’d never, ever thought I would write," she said. "I have an open mind to new things that might come into my life. Who knows, but I feel 2026 is going to be a good one." Her book, Feeling Fabulous: Be your best self, no matter what life throws at you, is set for release this Thursday, published by Hodder & Stoughton.
