Eamonn Holmes surprised This Morning fans on Wednesday when he revealed he was going to be a grandad after cryptically teasing he had a ‘personal’ announcement to make.
The Irish presenter’s, 61, son Declan, 32, who he shares with ex Gabrielle, is expecting his first child with his wife Jenny in July.
While it was happy news, many fans had feared the presenter had been about to reveal something about his health after he has been detailing his chronic pain battle while awaiting a diagnosis following an MRI scan on his back.
Prior to his announcement, Eamonn had cryptically said he didn’t want people to be ‘upset’ but ‘happy’ over the news following a ‘tough week’.
Surprised: Eamonn Holmes surprised This Morning fans on Wednesday when he revealed he was going to be a grandad after cryptically teasing he had a ‘personal’ announcement to make
One person tweeted: ‘Not very impressed with Eamonn Holmes leading everyone on to think he’s poorly or something only to then announce he’s going to be a Grandad? Badly worded lead up #ThisMorning.’
While others were left delighted over the happy news as they rushed to social media to congratulate Eamonn.
The presenter admitted he had been ‘in tears’ over the news after a ‘tough’ week, he said: ‘There’s something I want to talk to you about today, it’s been a tough year for so many people and there’s not much good news around.
‘I’ve been having a very tough week…[looking at Ruth] tell everyone how tough my week’s been? ‘
Family: The Irish presenter’s, 61, son Declan, 32, who he shares with ex Gabrielle, is expecting his first child with his wife Jenny in July (Declan and Jenny pictured)
Fears: While it was happy news, many fans had feared the presenter had been about to reveal something about his health after he has been detailing his chronic pain battle while awaiting a diagnosis following an MRI scan on his back
To which his wife and co-host Ruth, who he married in 2010 and shares other son Jack, 19, with, said: It has been very tough… it has. He’s in a lot of pain!’
Eamonn continued: ‘It hasn’t been a good time and I’ve been in tears and I’ve been in tears again as these two people here [a photo was shown of his son Declan and his wife Jenny] they are called Declan and Jenny, the clue is… their surname is Holmes.
‘Declan is my eldest boy, he’s 32 years of age, and that is Jenny his beloved wife and they have just announced that I – together with Valerie and Robin [Jenny’s parents] and Gabrielle [Declan’s mother] we are all going to be grandparents!’
The presenter added: ‘It’s very good. We’re very happy.’
Eamonn’s wife Ruth said of her stepson Declan’s news: ‘Declan and Jenny – we’re so, so happy for you. Lots of love to you.’
Surprised: Viewers were left surprised over the news as they had been led to believe that it could be to do with Eamonn’s condition and results, which he has been candidly discussing on the show this week
Talking about the news further, the presenter admitted he had been left emotional over the announcement and that he plans to be called ‘papa’ by his grandchild.
He said: ‘I didn’t think I would be so happy, but when they told me the news I got very emotional about it. ‘I just thought, ‘Me?’ I’m so young and vibrant.’
‘What lovely news, regeneration. The old guard goes out, the new guard comes in. Declan is the same age that I was when I, well, your mummy [his ex-wife Gabrielle], had you. Jenny – we wish you well.’
Eamonn quipped: ‘Please, no obligation to call the child Eamonn. We don’t know if it’s a boy or girl, we just want you to be healthy and happy. Thank you for bringing so much joy and happiness into our lives.’
To which Ruth joked: ‘I’m the wicked step-mother, so maybe I’ll be the wicked step-grandmother now.’
The presenter had said earlier on the show before his announcement: ‘Folks, I have got a very important and personal announcement to make at 11am this morning.
‘I don’t want you all in tears, I don’t want you to be upset for me, I just want you to be happy. To be glad for what is about to happen and what I am going to announce at 11am today.’
In his typical tongue-in-cheek humour, Eamonn added: ‘So, if you miss that… your loss!’
Statement: In a video shared to This Morning’s Twitter, Eamonn said before: ‘Folks, I have got a very important and personal announcement to make at 11am this morning.’
Before he announcement he was going to be a grandad, the presenter admitted it had been a ‘tough week’ amid his battle with chronic pain.
He said: ‘It’s been a very tough year for so many people, there’s not much good news around. It hasn’t been a good time and I’ve been in tears.’
To which Ruth added: ‘He is in a lot of pain, a lot of pain, as many people know with your 2am social media.’
Viewers were left surprised over the news as they had been led to believe that it could be to do with Eamonn’s condition and results after his first cryptic announcement, which he has been candidly discussing on the ITV show this week.
While others were left delighted over the happy news as they rushed to social media to congratulate Eamonn.
It comes after the presenter put on a brave face as he returned to front This Morning alongside wife Ruth Langsford on Tuesday after detailing his plight with chronic pain.
Eamonn who has been sharing details of his chronic pain battle this week said his condition is ‘too difficult to explain’ after Ruth said viewers had been asking how he was doing.
Eamonn replied: ‘Since the last time I saw you I’m doing very well, thank you for asking.’
He continued: ‘It’s too difficult to explain. We’re not here to talk about my troubles and my pain.’
Eamonn returned home from having tests in hospital after struggling with chronic ‘pain he’s never experienced in his life’ on Friday.
The presenter has said he ‘needs to find out what’s causing’ him pain all over his body and has revealed he has no diagnosis as of yet.
Treatment: Eamonn previously admitted his rehab plan included an hour of physio followed by a bracing cold shower
And Ruth, 61, admitted it would take longer than the episode’s run time to explain Eamonn’s condition. She said: ‘We could be here all day. We’ve only got two-and-a-half hours.’
Eamonn previously admitted his rehab plan included an hour of physio followed by a bracing cold shower.
Sharing a tweet with followers, he wrote: ‘Physio just left after second session of the day. He said my body was hot… result being that I needed to cool off with my second cold shower of the day. Let’s hope it helps me sleep soundly Zzzzz.’
On Tuesday night, Eamonn revealed he had undergone a second physio session of the day and he was advised to have his second cold shower of the day.
Gruelling: The presenter took to Twitter to admit the physical therapy would either ‘kill me or cure me’ as he joked about getting ‘match fit’ for his return to This Morning
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Physio just left after 2nd session of the day . He said my body was hot … result being that I Needed to cool off with my 2nd Cold Shower of the day…..Let’s hope it helps me sleep soundly Zzzzź (sic)’
On Monday, Eamonn admitted he had undergone a physio session at 4.30am ahead of co-hosting This Morning.
He tweeted: ‘Hey , busy day so far ….. 1 hour physio at 4.30 am to get match fit for today’s #ThisMorning …. followed by the Cold shower routine !
All this will either kill me or cure me. So far , so good though and remember I’m going to be sharing your #ChronicPain stories & advice. (sic)’
Struggles: On Monday’s show, the presenter used a walking stick to enter the studio as his wife Ruth admitted it ‘takes him so long walking’
It was on Monday’s episode that Eamonn admitted his suffering was due to a back injury.
He said: ‘Those of you who follow me on social media will know, about a month ago I did something to my back, I don’t know how I did it, getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever.
‘I’ve got an MRI scan, but the trouble is, everything closes for Easter, I haven’t got it analysed yet, but what I do know is, I can’t sleep at night.
‘The pain is absolutely worse at night. The humbling thing is when you go on social media and you talk to people who suffer from this, age isn’t a barrier, where you live isn’t a barrier, how much you earn isn’t a barrier.’
Eamonn’s situation prompted a phone-in on the show about chronic pain.
He added: ‘So many of you have this chronic pain situation, from all different sources. So let’s talk about this, let’s talk to each other, let’s talk to a doctor, we are talking to a pain expert.
‘I’ve had this a month, I hope I won’t have this much longer, but there are people who have lived with chronic pain their whole lives.’
Later on the show, the presenter used a walking stick to enter the studio as his wife Ruth admitted it ‘takes him so long walking’.
She said: ‘Many of you who follow Eamonn on social media know he has been talking a lot about chronic pain. It’s ironic actually he’s not here as he had to nip to the loo.
‘Because it takes him so long walking, he’s just on his way back and he will be here any minute. Here he is, it takes him longer to walk.’
Hospital visit: Eamonn returned home from having tests in hospital after struggling with chronic ‘pain he’s never experienced in his life’ on Friday
Eamonn then entered the studio using his walking stick, although he did not address it or his wife’s comments before sitting down to resume his presenting duties.
It comes after Eamonnn ‘checked in’ with his followers on social media again on Saturday night, amid his ongoing struggles with chronic pain.
The TV presenter, who has now returned home after a stint in hospital, told his fans in the early hours of Easter Sunday that he was ‘living in a waking nightmare’ as he was unable to sleep through his discomfort – before he began comparing his pain to that of Jesus Christ.
‘Well time to check in again. Who’s not having a good night?’ he penned on Twitter. ‘Who has pain that’s stopping them being in a beautiful dream? Who is living a waking nightmare through #ChronicPain?
‘Just trying to get us all speaking to each other and offering comfort and support!’
Midnight ramblings: It comes after Eamonnn ‘checked in’ with his followers on social media again on Saturday night, amid his ongoing struggles with chronic pain
Clearly desperate to share war stories with others, Eamonn went on to explain that he had indeed managed to doze off, but was wide awake once again.
‘Ok so body decided I was enjoying those 2 hours of sleep too much! Pain at its worst lying down. So anyone know how to sleep standing up? Just asking for a friend…’ he went on.
He then tweeted, potentially a little delirious from sleep-deprivation: ‘All this talk of pain – nothing compared to the pain Jesus went through for us before rising. Part of the message of #EasterSunday… which let’s not forget is today.’
Eamonn previously tweeted about his situation 24 hours earlier, explaining that he is still waiting for a diagnosis from doctors on what is actually wrong with him.
He said the experts who are looking into his condition have ‘understandably’ gone on their Easter break, as he told followers: ‘My pain hasn’t gone away!’
Waiting game: Eamonn told how he is still waiting for a diagnosis from doctors after being admitted to hospital with chronic pain (pictured in 2020)
He continued: ‘Understandably and unluckily for me the professionals who analyse and diagnose are on an Easter break. So to everyone, Twitter community, family and friends who are asking: ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Unfortunately I won’t know until middle of next week.’
Eamonn has been interacting with his followers, some of whom also suffer from chronic pain, while trying to get to bottom of his ailments.
‘Honestly folks, talking to you guys helps me forget the pain for 20 minutes. I hope you are talking to each other as well.
‘I’ve felt all of you suffering from chronic pain & learned a lot. This is not about whose pain is the worst. This is about finding out how big the problem is.
Explanation: Eamonn said the experts who are looking into his condition have ‘understandably’ gone on their Easter break, as he told followers: ‘My pain hasn’t gone away’
‘I’ve felt for you all, promise to promote this cause, been sad on your behalf and even found time for a chuckle where I didn’t think there could be one…
‘Meaning all offers of pain relief cannot be accepted however sincerely meant.’
‘Another thing which is a bit taboo in mainstream media is prayer. It goes by many more acceptable names these days mindfulness or meditation…
‘But if you do it, however you do it & whoever you do it too… May it help you. Nice talking to you all and may today be an OK one.’
Eamonn returned home from having tests in hospital after struggling with chronic ‘pain he’s never experienced in his life’ on Friday.
Support: Eamonn has been interacting with his followers, some of whom also suffer from chronic pain, while trying to get to bottom of his ailments
The presenter has said he ‘needs to find out what’s causing’ him pain all over his body and has revealed he has no diagnosis as of yet.
He had tweeted a snap of his mask-clad face sat in a waiting room on and vowed to find the cause of his agony, after revealing last week he was ‘living with chronic pain.’
Eamonn wrote: ‘At Hospital… pain like I’ve never experienced in my life. Need to find out what’s causing this. Wish me well.’
He had taken to Twitter to update fans after his hospital visit, sharing: ‘Will have clearer picture of what’s causing my pain tomorrow but just to say folks like so many of you I’ve lived with variations of Chronic pain for years.
‘Don’t allow it to stop me working & next week I’d like to be a voice for many of u & discuss the subject on @thismorning.
‘In the meantime I am proud that my experience has given you a voice and I’m humbled by your various and different experiences & your kindness to me .
‘If between us we can get more solutions more understanding and more resources directed towards CP then that would be a result.’
Earlier in the week, Eamonn had revealed that his chronic pain had left him wide awake after just 90 minutes of sleep, and vowed to keep speaking about the struggles to provide support to those going through the same thing.
In a tweet he wrote: ‘Don’t know about u but I got 90 mins tonight before the pain woke me up.
‘I just want to say Twitter can rightly be criticised …. yet here through sharing the common but not talked about experience of #ChronicPain we r giving each other support. Let’s keep talking Tweeters.’
‘In the meantime I am proud that my experience has given you a voice’: Eamonn had taken to Twitter to update fans after his hospital visit
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Eamonn Holmes for further comment.
It comes after Eamonn revealed he has been suffering from ‘chronic pain’ which has caused insomnia in a series of late night tweets last week.
He shared his woes with fans during the night as he posted to Twitter at around 2.30am while struggling to sleep.
He wrote: ‘In that Twilight Zone between Night time and Morning. Anyone else find these hours the worst…. particularly if you suffer chronic pain?’
Eamonn admitted that the ‘night is worse’ and he feels there is ‘no escape’ from the pain he is suffering.
Tough: Just a day earlier Eamonn had revealed that his chronic pain had left him wide awake after just 90 minutes of sleep
Replying to one fan, Eamonn added: ‘I just want people who suffer to know there are others and maybe they can talk to each other and swap advice on here?’
The media personality chatted to several of his followers on the social media platform who were also struggling to sleep in the early hours.
Eamonn has been candid about his health in the past and openly discussed his double hip operation in 2016, even revealing he feared he would die during surgery.
Speaking in 2017, he told the Daily Star Sunday: ‘It was a very depressing week when I had it done. I remember Sky News rang me and said, ‘Have you heard about Terry Wogan?’
‘And I was going under the knife that week. It was very foreboding. I was not very optimistic about the whole thing.
‘Ruth [Langsford, his wife] said to me, ‘Do you have to have both of them done?’ She was worried about losing me.’
Eamonn finally went under the knife after enduring 25 years of pain in his hips, back and legs. He even discussed how the pain had affected his career, with the TV host turning down some work if it meant he’d have to stand up for long periods of time.
The presenter took back to the airwaves just 10 weeks after having his double hip operation.
And after recovering from the procedure, which he’d been avoiding since he was 36-years-old, Eamonn admitted he’d got a ‘new lease of life’
Candid: Eamonn opened the conversation to his followers, with many replying saying they too were struggling to get to sleep
Response: He replied to one fan saying he ‘wants people who suffer to know there are others’ so they can share tips and advice
‘Night is worse’: In another response, Eamonn said the twilight hours are the toughest
Struggle: Eamonn agreed with another follower saying there’s ‘no escape’