Ruth Langsford's previous comments about the possibility of her husband Eamonn Holmes leaving her for a younger woman have resurfaced following the couple's announcement they have split.
The former This Morning hosts, both 64, revealed they are headed for divorce on Saturday after work commitments 'took their marriage in different directions'.
The couple tied the knot in 2010 after dating for 13 years - and say that despite their separation, they are 'determined to stay friends'.
They are parents to son Jack, 22, while Eamonn also has sons Declan, 35, Niall, 31, and daughter Rebecca, 33, from his previous marriage.
In the wake of the shocking news, Ruth's previous joke about Eamonn leaving her for a younger woman have resurfaced.
Ruth Langsford's previous comments about the possibility of her husband Eamonn Holmes leaving her for a younger woman have resurfaced following the couple's announcement they have split (pictured on Loose Women)
The former This Morning hosts, both 64, revealed they are headed for divorce on Saturday after work commitments 'took their marriage in different directions' (pictured together on This Morning in 2019)
In the wake of the shocking news, Ruth's previous jibes at Eamonn leaving her for a younger woman have resurfaced
On an episode of Loose Women in 2022, the presenter confessed she would rather her husband left her for a 25-year-old than someone her own age, confessing that was her 'worst fear'.
The Loose Women panel were discussing partners cheating with people half their age when Ruth admitted: 'See I think, people go, "Oh, you'd hate it if you were dumped for a younger woman".
'I go, "No, I would hate it because..." then I could do the whole cliché thing, "Oh, Eamonn is such a cliche, he's going with a 25-year-old, how sad."
'But then I think "No, the worst thing for me is if he went off with someone the same age".'
She candidly added: 'I think that is harder than being dumped for someone younger. That's my worst fear.'
Her fellow panellists immediately chimed in to assuage Ruth's fears, with Linda Robson asserting: 'That's not going to happen.'
It's not the first time that Ruth has mentioned the possibility of Eamonn leaving her for a younger woman, previously poking fun at the idea with her husband on This Morning and joking that she would be the ultimate 'spiteful ex.'
In August 2019, the couple were talking about the bitter break-up between Paul Hollywood and his ex-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam.
On an episode of Loose Women in 2022, the presenter confessed she would rather her husband left her for a 25-year-old than someone her own age, confessing that was her 'worst fear' (pictured)
The Loose Women panel were discussing partners cheating with people half their age when Ruth admitted: 'No, the worst thing for me is if he went off with someone the same age'
The Great British Bake Off star had been 53 years old at the time and had just split from the then-24-year-old barmaid after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, leading to both taking scathing swipes at each other on social media.
Ruth and Eamonn discussed the topic on This Morning, with Eamonn telling viewers: 'The baker, the Great British Bake Off man, Paul Hollywood. He’s a 53-year-old of age and everyone is outraged he’s got a girlfriend called Summer, not because she’s called Summer, but because she’s 24.'
It seemed then that the Irish presenter was planning to defend Paul, turning to Ruth and saying: 'People like you, huffing and puffing, going ''well.'' Say I ran off with a 24-year-old?'
But an unruffled Ruth took the opportunity to take a dig, as she jokingly addressed any younger women watching and said: 'Take him! Seriously, he's yours.'
Eamonn shot back that he would be stuck with a 'spiteful ex' if he opted to leave Ruth, so she quipped: 'I would be so spiteful. You wouldn’t want me.'
And the pair continued to make jokes at each other's expense through the episode, when during a house cleaning segment, Ruth said to Eamonn: 'When you’re thinking of going off with that 24-year-old - could she make a bed? Could she make that hospital corner?'
But he responded: 'It is a joy to live in a house which is like a five star hotel because of you. You’re the best chamber maid ever.'
It comes after it was reported that Eamonn is set to address their marriage split on his show on GB News on Monday.
It's not the first time that Ruth has mentioned the possibility of Eamonn leaving her for a younger woman, previously poking fun at the idea with her husband on This Morning in 2019 and joking that she would be the ultimate 'spiteful ex' (pictured)
The couple were talking about the bitter break-up between Paul Hollywood and his ex-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam, who were 63 and 24 years old at the time (Paul pictured in 2017)
The presenter hosts a breakfast show with Isabel Webster, which sees them talk through the big news stories of the world.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: 'Eamonn is always frank on camera and knows it will be odd for him to discuss the day’s news without mentioning his split so he’ll say a few words.
'He is putting on a brave face and will be the true professional he always is. Focusing on work will be a welcome distraction.'
It would mark the first time either Ruth or Eamonn have spoken about the split since their initial announcement, but sources close to the pair say that a ‘statement is being prepared by Ruth’s representatives', to share the news with their followers.
Eamonn broke his silence on social media on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Manchester United's FA Cup win, with no mention of the separation news.
Celebrating the team's shock 2-1 over rivals Manchester City, he wrote: 'My God, what a Cup Final, what a Result! #MUFC European football next season too. The Magic of The Cup. Congratulations to the whole squad.'
The TV couple, who friends say were 'as close to Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan as you could get', have sparked rumours over the last few months as neither appeared on the other's Instagram posts.
The famous couple first met in through a mutual friend, GMTV star Sally Meen, while Eamonn was also on the show in 1997.
It comes after it was reported that Eamonn is set to address their marriage split on his breakfast show with Isabel Webster on GB News on Monday (pictured on his show)
It would mark the first time either Ruth or Eamonn have spoken about the split since their initial announcement, but sources close to the pair say that a ‘statement is being prepared by Ruth’s representatives ', to share the news with their followers
Eamonn broke his silence on social media on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Manchester United's FA Cup win, with no mention of the separation news (Man Utd celebration pictured)
Celebrating the team's shock 2-1 over rivals Manchester City, he wrote: 'My God, what a Cup Final, what a Result! #MUFC European football next season too. The Magic of The Cup. Congratulations to the whole squad'
Eamonn and Ruth tied the knot in 2010 after 13 years together, in a lavish ceremony at the grand 19th century Hampshire hotel, The Elvetham
Two years later, he had split from his first wife Gabrielle Holmes, the mother of his three eldest children.
And despite Ruth and Eamonn feeling an instant connection, he ensured it was the nation's best-kept secret, as he did not publicly confess his love for Ruth for two years.
