Holmes splits from show and wife

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes quit GMTV with a farewell message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair today – on the same day it emerged he is getting divorced.

Holmes, who is leaving the show after 12 years, is getting divorced from his wife Gabrielle, from whom he split almost a decade ago.

The couple have three children, Declan, 15, Rebecca, 14, and Niall, 11, and Holmes has another son, three-year-old Jack, with his partner, TV presenter Ruth Langsford.

He said: “Gabrielle and I have been apart for almost 10 years. It was hardly a surprise to anyone, least of all us.

“It may be the end of the marriage but it’s not the end of the relationship. We share three children we both adore.”

Holmes, who is Britain’s longest-serving breakfast TV host, told GMTV viewers today he was the “luckiest man in the world” as he graced the sofa for the last time.

He joked with anchorwoman Fiona Phillips about working with gorgeous women, saying: “Look at the beautiful women you wake up with in the morning.

“Maybe I have not appreciated it as much as I should have.”

Phillips choked back tears as other presenters, including Lorraine Kelly, joined Holmes, 45, on the sofa for a final farewell.

He was presented with a cake iced with figures of himself and Phillips on the sofa, and a message that read: “Bye Bye Eamonn.”

Phillips praised his compassion, wit and passion for the job and thanked him for all he had taught her.

Holmes joked that “this is embarrassing”, telling viewers: “It’s you folks I’ve got to say thank you to.

“I used to say ‘see you in the morning’ but I won’t,” adding that he now planned to have a lie-in.

Phillips read out messages from wellwishers, including one from Mr Blair.

It said the sofa would not be the same without Holmes, adding: “You’ve always been a very fair interviewer.”