Eamonn Holmes and former ‘TV wife’ Anthea Turner discuss 12-year feud

Their working relationship was dealt a final blow when he publicly coined her ‘Princess Tippy Toes’ back in 1996.

But Eamonn Holmes and Anthea Turner let bygones be bygones as they reunited on screen on This Morning on Friday. 

The television host, 58, and the former Blue Peter presenter, also 58, addressed their famous feud, where it was reported Eamonn gave bosses an ultimatum – to sack Anthea or he would leave GMTV.

 

Putting their feud to an end: Eamonn Holmes and Anthea Turner let bygones be bygones as they reunited on screen on This Morning on Friday

When talking about if you can be friends with an ex, Eamonn said: ‘Well you are an ex of mine and we’re on good terms, some people think we hate each other.’ 

Anthea joked: ‘Ruth’s not bothered at all.’

Ruth, replied: ‘No, we’re married, we’re properly married’, while Anthea quipped: ‘Yes, but we were on screen husband and wife.’

She continued: ‘There is a fine line between hate and love isn’t there? We were chatting in the break, Eamonn and I are a bit lazy and it’s easier to stay friends’, with Ruth Langsford adding it was ‘nice’ they could be.

Moving on: The television host, 58, and the former Blue Peter star addressed their famous feud on the show

Moving on: The television host, 58, and the former Blue Peter star addressed their famous feud on the show

Enemies? When talking about if you can be friends with an ex, Eamonn said: 'Well you are an ex of mine and we're on good terms, some people think we hate each other'

Enemies? When talking about if you can be friends with an ex, Eamonn said: ‘Well you are an ex of mine and we’re on good terms, some people think we hate each other’

Quipping back, Eamonn, who made up with the television present in 2009, said: ‘It’s about morality, life’s too short’, before standing up to present his former enemy a birthday cake and a hug.

The two co-hosted the morning television show from 1994 to 1996 but their relationship was famously frosty. 

It was reported at the time that he had given his bosses an ultimatum – either they sack Anthea, a former Blue Peter presenter, or he would leave.

Making up: To which, Anthea joked: 'Ruth's not bothered at all. Yes we were on screen husband and wife, there is a fine line between hate and love isn't there?' 

Making up: To which, Anthea joked: ‘Ruth’s not bothered at all. Yes we were on screen husband and wife, there is a fine line between hate and love isn’t there?’ 

Following her departure, Anthea went on to front various television programmes, as well as appearing on reality shows including Celebrity Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen.

Eamonn, meanwhile, continued to present the show until 2005 alongside Fiona Phillips before his wife Ruth Langsford joined him on the sofa for This Morning. 

Despite their amicable terms, viewer took to Twitter to point out the awkwardness of the interview. 

One wrote: ‘Ruth does not look happy to have to sit between Eamonn and Anthea during this conversation’, while another typed: ‘”Well I’m so glad you two are friends” hahaha Ruth is fuming’.

Sweet: Eamonn said: 'It's about morality, life's too short', before standing up to present his former enemy a birthday cake and a hug.

Sweet: Eamonn said: ‘It’s about morality, life’s too short’, before standing up to present his former enemy a birthday cake and a hug.

Another wrote: ‘#Thismorning can you be friends with your ex? Obviously Eamonn can’t be with Anthea’. 

Anthea also revealed she would attend ex-husband Grant Bovey’s wedding if he were to get married again. 

She told Ruth: ‘Oh absolutely, I want Grant to be happy.’

To which the presenter replied: ‘But you’ve been hurt.’ 

Awkward: Despite their amicable terms, viewer took to Twitter to point out the awkwardness of the interview

Awkward: Despite their amicable terms, viewer took to Twitter to point out the awkwardness of the interview

Agreeing, Anthea said: ‘There has been hurt, but time is a great healer and I want everyone to be happy.’

Her marriage came to an end after she discovered that her businessman husband Grant, then 52, was having an affair with interior designer Zoe de Mallet Morgan – 24 at the time.   

She previously told the Sunday People: ‘Fear makes us make bad decisions, hold on, put up and shut up. I knew it was time to go. But honestly death is easier than divorce. Death is final. There is no rejection. Divorce is ongoing.’ 

Lessons learned

Mended her heart: Anthea also revealed she would attend ex-husband Grant Bovey’s wedding if he were to get married again (pictured with Grant in 2006)



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk