Ruth Langsford offered a rare and personal insight into her life following her separation from Eamonn Holmes during Monday's episode of ITV's Loose Women. The presenter, 65, spoke candidly about the value of female friendship and navigating life as a single woman.
A Personal Turn in the Conversation
Returning to the panel alongside Coleen Nolan, 60, Kelly Brook, 46, and Jane Moore, 63, the discussion took an intimate turn. While covering various newsworthy topics, the conversation shifted to the power of close friendships. It was here that Langsford, who confirmed her split from Holmes in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage, chose to open up.
"I feel the older I get, and of course, I'm on my own now... I think anyway, the older I get, I realise how important my female friendships are," she shared. She contrasted this with her younger years, mentioning a best friend she met on her first day of senior school.
The Unbreakable Bonds of Friendship
Langsford elaborated on these lifelong connections, using the example of her school friend Jenny, who now lives in Thailand. She explained that despite the distance, their bond remains unshaken, rooted in shared history and having supported each other through "very, very difficult times."
"I just always know that we've got each other and my other friends who have got me through so many things," she stated. The presenter emphasised that maintaining these relationships requires more effort with age, noting, "As I'm older I realise you need to really hang onto those friendships and work even harder at them, actually."
Moving Forward and Self-Discovery
The panel's discussion also touched on high-profile relationships, including Jennifer Lopez's recent jokes about her past with Ben Affleck, prompting the question of how long it takes to move on. Kelly Brook quipped about one method, while the conversation turned more serious.
Jane Moore, who was married to Gary Farrow between 2002 and 2022, offered a poignant perspective: "Your greatest relationship in life should be yourself." She advised knowing and loving yourself, ensuring you can be okay alone. "It's lovely if someone comes along and adds to your life," Moore added, "but certainly, at our age, we're not building a family anymore... we would only want somebody in our lives that brings something or enhances it."
Ruth Langsford concurred, summarising, "You realise, like you said, you've got to look after yourself, and you can't expect other people to complete you."
The former couple, who tied the knot in 2010 after 13 years together, share a son named Jack. A spokesperson confirmed in May 2024 that their marriage was over and divorce proceedings had begun. Eamonn Holmes has since moved on with Katie Alexander, 43.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV and ITVX.
