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Veteran broadcaster Eamonn Holmes is quitting This Morning after 15 years to join GB News.
In November it was reported that the broadcaster quit after he and his wife Ruth Langsford were removed from their regular Friday time slot on This Morning.
Yesterday it was announced that he will start his new position at the controversial channel at the beginning of next year, where he will present a new breakfast programme with former Sunrise co-host Isabel Webster.
Commenting on the move, Holmes said GB News is “one of the most exciting” start-ups yet, adding that it is “just the kind of shake-up the industry needs”.
“I’ve admired GB News from the beginning for its clever mix of punchy debate but delivered with warmth and even some fun.
“To me the greatest honour in journalism is to give a voice and respect to the unheard, and that’s exactly what GB News is all about,” he said.
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In a statement, an ITV spokeswoman said Langsford “remains an important part” of the channel’s daytime offering - “both as a member of the This Morning family and as an anchor presenter on Loose Women”.
“We would like to wish Eamonn all of the very best in his new role.
“As a duo, Eamonn and Ruth have been part of the This Morning presenting team for the last 15 years and we thank Eamonn for all of his hard work and contribution to the show,” they added.
It’s going to be a big 2022 on @GBNEWS Breakfast with @EamonnHolmes and @IsabelWebster_ - Coming Soon. https://t.co/30JyIhEEu6— GB News (@GB News) 1639167456
Elsewhere, a source told the The Mirror that Holmes’s move to the channel “marks the end of an era”.
“He’ll be missed by many ITV viewers but, the truth is, this job offer probably came at just the right moment for both him and ITV.
“All good things come to an end,” they said.
Here is The News ..... I'm joining @GBNEWS from The New Year . Hope you are coming with me and wish me well . In… https://t.co/S79Iyw5P6v— Eamonn Holmes OBE (@Eamonn Holmes OBE) 1639138955
Holmes has attracted controversy in recent years.
He left people aghast when he said TV Doctor Zoe Williams’ hair resembled an alpaca’s – though he later apologised – and he also peddled conspiracy theories about coronavirus being linked to 5G from the outset of the pandemic, leading to Ofcom complaints and a hasty clarification.
Reacting to the news, some people said it was a good fit because of his past controversial comments, with GB News known for being somewhat... open to a range of opinions.
Yet others thought it would damage his career:
Love how Eamonn Holmes is about to end his career by joining the shite that is GB News— Kyle S (@Kyle S) 1636667284
Is anyone really surprised that Eamonn Holmes is going to GB News? He’s been spouting vile comments for years now and getting away with it.— Jess (@Jess) 1636670533
i'd forgotten Eamonn Holmes existed tbh so GB News is probably the best place for him— Sarah 🇮🇹🌹#KilltheBill (@Sarah 🇮🇹🌹#KilltheBill) 1636676323
Eamonn Holmes moving to #GBNews to present a show with channel favourites Mike Hunt and Hugh Janus— dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻 (@dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻) 1636676657
The man who told a Black woman that he wanted to pet her afro hair because it looked like an alpaca? Quelle surpris… https://t.co/JqaRBaQJZw— Lorna_TVeditor (@Lorna_TVeditor) 1636670798
I see Eamonn Holmes is leaving ITV to go to the broadcaster's knackeryard known as GB News. The perfect place for h… https://t.co/B2Q2Dw1fqA— Michelle (@Michelle) 1636701414
There's a "bring Holmes the gammon" joke somewhere in there but I'm far too classy to make it. https://t.co/JmHCF6lM6I— Otto English (@Otto English) 1636702446
Ah of course Eamonn Holmes is joining GB news after all he did call Meghan Markle uppity, it's like GB news present… https://t.co/TmGKhNiomR— Xoxo-Leigh 🛡🛡🛡 (@Xoxo-Leigh 🛡🛡🛡) 1636685338
Thoughts and 🙏 with @EamonnHolmes for irreversibly damaging his career. 🤢 #GBigots https://t.co/OvyOMNiLEB— 🎶YesSirICanBoogie🎶 (@🎶YesSirICanBoogie🎶) 1636667018
Wonderful news about Eamonn Holmes joining GB News. He deserves to be seen by as few people as possible.— Steve (@Steve) 1639137784
GB News scraped the bottom of the barrel and ended up with a failed TV station. Then it turned the barrel on its si… https://t.co/GaH71gQ9iZ— Will Black (@Will Black) 1639142775
He did get some support from fans of GB News, however, including from some of their own presenters:
So Eamonn Holmes has quit ITV to join GBNews. Looks like, despite all the media put-downs and Andrew Neill's failur… https://t.co/pucNEn6aoc— Tess Summers 🇬🇧🇮🇪 (@Tess Summers 🇬🇧🇮🇪) 1636698555
This is amazing news!!!! @EamonnHolmes @GBNEWS https://t.co/762y0Izzus— Rachel Sweeney (@Rachel Sweeney) 1636668736
Star signing for @GBNEWS as Britain’s most natural broadcaster @EamonnHolmes joins them with his own new show.… https://t.co/NXpgKLMCma— Martin Daubney ✌🏻🇬🇧 (@Martin Daubney ✌🏻🇬🇧) 1636697916
What’s funny with people getting triggered about Eamonn Holmes joining @GBNEWS if he went to the BBC or Sky they wo… https://t.co/wAdhhSqPaF— Jamie (@Jamie) 1639143207
Can’t wait to work with @EamonnHolmes again . Eamonn Holmes confirms This Morning exit as he quits show to join r… https://t.co/ef6AVUTzJa— Gloria De Piero (@Gloria De Piero) 1639137941
@EamonnHolmes @GBNEWS Yay!!! This is amazing! I can’t wait to present the Showbiz News when you’re on air 📺😍🙌🏼— Ellie Phillips (@Ellie Phillips) 1639141147
Holmes’s presenting career began on GMTV in 1993 where he stayed until 2005. He then joined Sky News Sunrise until 2016.
Aside from This Morning, Holmes and Langsford have also hosted their own show in recent years, How The Other Half Lives.
How Holmes gets on at GB News remains to be seen.
His departure from ITV isn’t the only TV move announced this week, with a GB News spokesperson confirming that former BBC presenter Simon McCoy was leaving the station due to “personal reasons”.
indy100 has contacted Holmes, ITV and GB News for comment.
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