Eamonn Holmes has landed in Spain for a late summer getaway with his new girlfriend after his split from Ruth Langsford.
The broadcaster, 64, travelled to country with Katie Alexander, 42, to go on a sun-soaked Mediterranean cruise months after his 14-year marriage collapsed in May.
The couple, who were revealed to be dating after the split, flew from Heathrow Airport this morning before landing in Barcelona for the luxury holiday.
Eamonn, who has struggled with back problems in recent years, was seen driving a mobility scooter through the terminal while Katie pushed their luggage and a walking frame.
They were later seen at the Port of Barcelona where they were seen laughing and joking with other cruise passengers.
The holiday, which has been taken during Eamonn’s summer break from his GB News Breakfast show, is said to have left Ruth and her friends shocked, a source claims.
Speaking about the holiday, which is set to last a week with Eamonn scheduled to be back on TV next week, a source told The Sun: ‘The cruise is just the latest proof of their closeness.
‘Katie has been telling pals she and Eamonn are going to be for keeps — and now everyone is starting to believe her.
‘Eamonn’s zest for her — the latest being this all-expenses-paid trip — has wowed Ruth and pals. He has found a new lease of life for sure. Everyone is amazed.’
It isn’t the first trip the pair have been on this month, as Eamonn took his girlfriend Katie to visit his hometown of Belfast amid claims they are ‘in it for the long haul.’
During his time off, he was spotted by locals in Carrickfergus, dining at the same budget restaurant, Papa Browns, for four days in a row, The Sun reports.
A member of staff at the American diner told the publication: ‘He came in four days in a row. I noticed his girlfriend had an English accent. They looked happy.’
They continued: ‘He appeared quite frail and it took a minute to recognise him, but he was always very polite and friendly.
‘Both of them appeared at ease with being seen together. Eamonn really enjoyed it.’
He is set to make his comeback on GB News Breakfast next week with co-host Isabel Webster, who has been hosting the show solo during his time off, reports the Express.
Eamonn is said to be smitten with Katie and their relationship has been ‘taken to the next level’, previously revealed.
Friends claimed they are now spending most weekends together at his Richmond flat after his marriage to Ruth ended.
Eamonn and Katie are mulling over when to take their relationship public and are said to have been offered ‘big money’ for the official first pictures of them together.
The source told us: ‘They’ve been offered some decent money for the first pictures of them together.
‘Katie and Eamonn are definitely in it for the long haul. She says she loves him and he loves her.’
In terms of his health woes a source recently told The Mirror: ‘He is doing the best he can under the circumstances but there is not too much to smile about.
‘He is not looking to do any interviews and is just keeping his head down and just doing work at GB News and physio sessions to try to improve his mobility.’
In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years.
Speaking about his operation at the time, Eamonn said: ‘Was I nervous? No! It was just like being on television. In the build-up I was stressed — can I do this? Will I handle it?’
Two years later, Eamonn detailed his battle with shingles and how he was struck with the virus on his son Declan’s wedding day.
During an appearance on Loose Women in September 2021, he spoke about his health battle which left him unable to work on This Morning three years ago.
He also shared images of his puffy face covered in marks and scabs during his battle.
Shingles is a viral rash caused by varicella zoster virus, the virus which causes chickenpox, being reactivated. In the UK, 90 per cent of adults have had chickenpox, so will have this virus lying dormant in their nervous systems.
His years of chronic back pain started in spring 2021 – which came completely out of nowhere.
The pain become so severe that it left Eamonn reliant on a walking stick, but soon found out the root cause.
He eventually discovered it was three slipped discs that affected the movement of his right leg.