S Poddar
GB News fans were left in shock on Monday when one of its core fixtures, Eamonn Holmes, failed to appear on the network alongside fellow host Isabel Webster. The 64-year-old television personality, a builder of a career on his forthright delivery and four-decade service to the small screen, usually fronts the show with Webster from Monday to Wednesday. Instead, viewers saw Nana Akua, another anchor familiar to GB News since 2021, hosting in Holmes’ place with no mention of his whereabouts.
His disappearance from the show, however, came as quite a shock. The network is mum over the issue. Akua and Webster dodged any answers to the day’s news regarding Holmes, leaving the fans in a dilemma over his whereabouts. An inquiry sent to GB News was met with silence from the broadcaster.
Holmes has been quite vocal about his health problems of late, which may be what caused the disappearance. It’s been no secret that Northern Irish presenter Baraclough has had a few mobility problems lately. Recently, he took to social media with an update on his road to full mobility. In the video, he is running on an Alter G anti-gravity treadmill. These devices are designed to take a little stress off of the body by allowing users to walk or run with a fraction of their actual weight. “Trying to remember what it felt like to have legs that worked,” he said in the caption, which followed his video of the endeavor to regain function of his legs.
It has been a tough couple of years with his health issues. Years of excruciating pain finally took a toll on Holmes, who underwent a double hip replacement surgery in 2016. The three-hour procedure was done to enhance the quality of his life. His problems didn’t just end there, though. Last year, back surgery was necessary to correct ongoing problems, but Holmes was left wheelchair-bound due to complications.
On top of his physical health battles, Holmes has been facing emotional turmoil as he comes to terms with the recent breakup of his marriage to Ruth Langsford. The TV presenter couple, who had been together since 1996 and married for 14 years, revealed they were separating in May. This was followed by an announcement in June that Langsford would be taking extended leave from ITV’s Loose Women, although she recently made a tearful comeback to the series.
The facing of personal and health challenges may well point to Holmes’ off-screen absence from GB News on Monday, though fans are left guessing without an official word from the network. His fans will keep having a huge interest in seeing Holmes back on their screens and bringing his inimitable warmth and experience to the morning show as he continues his recovery and adjustable life post separation.
Nana Akua’s appearance on Monday went down well as she and Webster steered viewers through the day’s headlines with professional poise. Akua has been with GB News since almost its inception and has built a reputation as a dependable and engaging presenter, so she was well-placed to step into the breach during Holmes’ absence.
With the situation developing, it is very likely that viewers will continue to keep a very close eye on GB News for any updates regarding Holmes’ return. Whether that is a temporary break or part of some more extended leave, it cannot be said with certainty, but one thing is certain: Eamonn Holmes is still so close to British telly in fans’ minds that he seems to be very missed.
