Emily Bashforth
Published April 11, 2026 8:33pm
Updated April 11, 2026 8:33pm
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Eamonn Holmes has spoken openly about his health struggles in recent years (Picture: Getty/Backgrid)
Eamonn Holmes’ health woes have been well documented in recent years, from complex surgeries to his now being unable to walk unaided.
And in the latest update, it was announced this weekend that the broadcaster suffered a stroke and has been in hospital since Tuesday.
Consequently, the 66-year-old will be off screens and replaced on GB News for the foreseeable future.
Eamonn, best known for hosting on GMTV, Sky News, and This Morning, has been open about his struggles since his chronic pain began five years ago, having undergone extensive physical therapy amid his recovery and bid to regain independence.
Viewers have long expressed concern for the Northern Irish star upon witnessing the side effects of his conditions.
A timeline of Eamonn Holmes’ health struggles
The broadcaster suffered a stroke this week (Picture: Eamonn Holmes/Instagram)
Bilateral hip replacements
After admitting he put off the operation for ‘too many years’, Eamonn had bilateral hip replacements in 2016.
This came after he endured ‘sleepless nights’ due to pain in his hips, legs, and back.
Fronting This Morning at the time, he told viewers while sitting alongside his hip, surgeon Sarah Muirhead-Allwood: ‘It’s more au revoir than goodbye for a little while, as I’m going to be rebuilt.
‘They are taking out both of my hips and giving me new ones.
‘I’ve put it off for too long, and for me, I think it’ll be a new lease of life.’
Eamonn was inundated with well-wishes at the time from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, whom he hailed as an ‘inspiration’.
After recovering well, Eamonn lost three stone.
Eamonn, 66, has been unable to walk unaided for several years (Picture: Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)
Shingles
In 2018, Eamonn was struck down with shingles, an infection that causes a painful rash.
Speaking to The Sun at the time, he said it was ‘scary’ to see himself, as it looked like ‘someone had taken a baseball bat to [his] face and smashed [him] about a bit’.
Eamonn also believed the anxiety of a tax row with HMRC brought on the shingles, calling it ‘the most stressful experience outside of losing [his] father’.
He has previously said it’s ‘humiliating’ to rely on mobility aids (Picture: Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Slipped discs
Eamonn’s health declined dramatically in 2021 when he dislocated his pelvis.
He was rushed to hospital with what he called ‘pain [he’s] never felt in [his] life’, adding to his followers: ‘A month ago, I did something to my back.
‘I don’t know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever.
‘I’ve got an MRI scan, but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven’t got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can’t sleep at night.’
He was later informed that he had sustained three slipped discs (also called prolapsed or herniated discs), which is when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulges outwards.
This ultimately hindered the movement in his right leg, meaning he had to use a walking stick.
While he had epidural injections to relieve some of his pain, they ‘didn’t cure’ his problem.
Eamonn has had several major operations (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Spinal surgery
In 2022, Eamonn underwent major spinal surgery to correct his slipped discs. By this point, his spinal issues had also caused bladder and bowel problems.
He spent nine days in The Royal Victoria Hospital, updating his followers afterwards to say his op ‘went well’.
‘The doctor tidied things up, and generally the pain has gone, which is brilliant,’ he added.
Although, Eamonn was left with an ‘issue’ in his left leg, which began collapsing ‘unexpectedly’.
He is currently off screens for the foreseeable future (Picture: GB News)
Learning to walk again
Eamonn has relied on mobility aids to get around since then.
At one point, he depended on crutches after losing nerves in his right leg.
In September 2023, he was seen in a mobility scooter for the first time.
Speaking previously to Best magazine, Eamonn said: ‘Some people were mocking me on social media. “Oh, look at Eamonn, he’s in a mobility scooter!”
‘I replied, saying, “I would prefer if I wasn’t in it but how else would I have got around?”
‘The alternative is I don’t go anywhere, and I sit in my armchair, work in the office. So, I go out… It’s mentally uplifting to get out.’
By January 2024, Eamaonn was mostly wheelchair-bound.
He has also admitted that, while he is ‘grateful’ for people’s assistance, he finds it ‘truly draining’ to ask for help.
Additionally, he felt ‘humiliated’ when he had to cover the Queen’s funeral while on crutches, finding them ‘exhausting’ to use.
He admitted it had been a ‘tough year’ after announcing his divorce from Ruth Langsford (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Horror fall
In May last year, Eamonn was rushed to hospital after a fall at home.
He wrote at the time: ‘An unexpected journey this morning.
‘Bit of a fall on the bathroom floor. Gosh it hurts. Thank you Ambulance crew.’
He further reflected on his health following news of his divorce from wife Ruth Langsford, whom he had been with since 1996.
Reflecting on a ‘tough year’, he told The Sun: ‘I have been basically disabled for a year and a half or so, and I have to have a carer to do the smallest, simplest things, and it’s humiliating and humbling – but thank goodness that carers are available.’
Eamonn is now in a relationship with Katie Alexander (Picture: Timmie/Shutterstock)
Stroke and hospitalisation
Eamonn was taken ill on April 9, 2026, with GB News issuing a statement four days later: ‘Eamonn was taken ill last week, and it was later confirmed he had suffered a stroke.
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‘He is currently responding well to treatment.
‘Eamonn has asked for privacy as he focuses on getting better.
‘His colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the People’s Channel when he is ready to return.’
Alex Armstrong will step in to present in Eamonn’s absence.
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