Eamonn Holmes, the 66-year-old anchor of GB News' breakfast show, will not return to the network following a severe stroke. After six months of hospitalization,the broadcaster is unable to meet the physical demands of live television.
The £5 million deal and the IR35 tax fallout
The departure of Eamonn Holmes marks a volatile end to a tenure that began with a high-stakes gamble. After leaving ITV, Holmes signed a lucrative contract worth £5 million per year to lead the breakfast broadcast for GB News, a move that was widely viewed as a public rebuke of his former employer. However, this professional pivot was shadowed by a grueling legal battle with HMRC over IR35 tax regulations.
As the report says, a court determined that Eamonn Holmes should have been classified as an employee rather than a freelancer during his time at ITV's This Morning. This ruling resulted in a £250,000 legal bill and additional ancillary costs, creating a significant financial burden that coincided with his transition to the West London-based network.
Six months of recovery and the West London headquarters
The physical toll of a serious stroke has proven insurmountable for the veteran presenter. According to sources inside the network, Eamonn Holmes has spent six months in the hospital and lacks the necessary stamina to handle the rigors of a live morning show. While Holmes had previously expressed a desire to return to the GB News studio, that promise has remained unfulfilled.
The emotional weight of this transition was captured in a June image showing Eamonn Holmes in an NHS robe alongside his girlfriend, Katie Alexander. While friends and family have praised the resilience Holmes has shown during his recovery,the network's executives have concluded that a return to the anchor chair is no longer viable.
Ellie Costello and Stephen Dixon's bid for the anchor chair
With the vacancy now permanent, GB News is navigating a delicate internal succession. Co-hosts Ellie Costello and Stephen Dixon have been filling the void left by Eamonn Holmes, and both are reportedly eyeing the permanent anchor role.. Stephen Dixon has specifically noted that his tenure as a substitute has resonated well with the viewing audience.
However, the transition has not been without friction. Former co-host Isabel Webster has reportedly expressed mixed feelings regarding how GB News is managing the departure of such a prominent figure. The network is expected to make a formal public announcement regarding the new leadership of the breakfast slot later this week.
The £3 million home and the Ruth Langsford split
Beyond the health crisis, Eamonn Holmes has been embroiled in a complex persnal dissolution . His divorce from former co-host Ruth Langsford, finalized in 2024 after 14 years of marriage, has added immense pressure to an already precarious situation. The split has been marked by disputes over a family residence valued at £3 million.
The financial stakes of the divorce are high, with the couple's combined wealth estimated at approximately £5 million. This intersection of a health catastrophe and a costly marital breakdown underscores the precarious nature of high-profile media careers, where personal stability and professional viability are often inextricably linked.
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