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Eamonn Holmes has suffered from a raft of agonising health issues over the years (Image: Getty)
Eamonn Holmes, who has battled a series of health problems over the years, including severe back pain and recent eye surgery, celebrates his 66th birthday today (Wednesday, December 3). The presenter, also known for his split from former wife Ruth Langsford last year, has faced numerous health challenges.
Celebrating his 66th birthday today (Wednesday, December 3), Eamonn Holmes, who has endured a range of health issues over the years, including debilitating back pain and recent eye surgery, reflects on his journey. The broadcaster, also known for his split from former spouse Ruth Langsford last year, has confronted numerous health hurdles.
In a touching statement made in 2024, the Belfast-born television personality remarked that he felt as though he was living on “borrowed time,” referencing the heart attack that claimed his father’s life at 65. This revelation came during his appearance at the TRIC Awards, marking his first public event since his June separation from Ruth after 14 years of marriage. Despite his struggles, Eamonn considered skipping the event due to the intense pain he was experiencing.
During the awards ceremony, Eamonn, who arrived in a wheelchair fitted with various “gadgets,” openly shared that he was “not OK” and described the period as “not a good time at all.” He disclosed details about a surgery, mentioning, “I have two things in my back I don’t want.”
The Belfast native once claimed that he was on “borrowed time” (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “I wasn’t going to come, but I’ve got this new chair with all these gadgets. I had an operation a year and a half ago, and two things went wrong so I have two things in my back I don’t want. So I’ll happily accept this.”
Here’s a summary of Eamonn’s health struggles, from a double hip replacement to eye surgery.
Double hip replacement
He told The Mirror, “I almost didn’t come, but I have this new chair with all these gadgets. I had an operation a year and a half ago, and two things went wrong, so now I have two things in my back I don’t want. So I’ll gladly accept this.”
Here’s a look into Eamonn’s ongoing health battles, which include a double hip replacement and eye surgery.
Back in 2016, it was revealed that Eamonn underwent a double hip replacement after enduring acute pain for an extended period. This left him “limping and dragging” his leg, unable to stand for long durations or walk significant distances.
Eamonn celebrates his 66th birthday today (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Shingles
Eamonn previously revealed to Loose Women his struggle with shingles in 2018 and how he had to manage his son Declan’s wedding whilst battling the agonising viral rash (caused by the varicella zoster virus).
His episode of shingles was reportedly so serious that he couldn’t present This Morning, with photographs of his face showing swelling, scabs and red marks being broadcast on screen.
He quipped: “This is me with shingles looking like Quasimodo there and as you can see from that, it’s quite brutal.” Shingles is a severe infection that can trigger a painful rash.
Chronic back pain
In 2021, the presenter revealed the challenges he was experiencing due to back pain, a condition he described at the time as stemming from a “trapped sciatic nerve”, though he confessed he didn’t know “quite how it initially happened”.
He disclosed that his condition was affecting his family life, as he fretted that his children were occasionally left “embarrassed” whilst he attempted to navigate around using crutches and a walking stick, confessing to Sun: “I don’t walk – it’s more of a wobble. It has been very difficult this year.”
Eamonn added that he hadn’t been able to walk for a number of months, and his condition had “taken its toll” on others, too, including Ruth, who ultimately had to wait on him.
Eamonn used a wheelchair laden with “gadgets” at an event (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Back operation
A year later, Eamonn was forced to take a break from his duties at GB News to undergo back surgery, having previously revealed his struggles following a dislocated pelvis which caused three slipped discs.
In a candid confession to the Express, Eamonn explained how the procedure would “hopefully relieve pressure” on his sciatic nerve, though it came with risks.
He stated: “It’s an operation that carries a 20 percent risk of going wrong, but such is the pain and restrictions that I have been suffering for the past 18 months, I’ve decided it is a risk I am willing to take.
“In fact, it’s a risk I want to take because, at this moment in time, nothing could seem worse than the constant pain that runs through my lower back and legs.”
Fractured shoulder
However, during the same year, he endured another blow when he fractured his shoulder following a fall at his then-Surrey residence, though he was “trying to look on the bright side”.
Speaking to GB News, he said: “It’s been a hellish few weeks. But day by day I’m improving and I am remaining positive and trying to look on the bright side.”
In 2021, the presenter revealed the challenges he was experiencing due to back pain (Image: Getty)
Eamonn revealed that he would need “extra time off” for his recovery, before lauding the NHS staff who had been caring for him as “amazing”.
He continued: “Also, I really must say a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nursing staff who have been looking after me. They all are amazing. God bless.”
Eye surgery
In a recent turn of events just two months ago in October, it was reported that Eamonn had undergone surgery for an eye injury. He broke the news on his Instagram page, sharing images of his bandaged eye.
While he didn’t disclose the cause of the injury at the time, he did mention that one patch was “put on in hospital”, and that he’d added a second, humorously adding you “should see the other guy”.
