Eamonn Holmes is a familiar face on UK television. He is a broadcaster who is respected. He is a man who has been shaped by his family and the things he has done in life. Having spent over 40 years on air, Holmes has become well known for his flexibility and warmth. But there is another side to the man who emits onscreen cheer a story of deep resilience, family heartbreak and changing perspectives.
Key Details:
| Aspect | Details |
| Net Worth | Estimated £5 to $9 million (2025) |
| Annual Income | Over $0.5 million |
| Family | – Parents: Leonard Holmes (engineer), Josephine Holmes (homemaker)– Siblings: 4 brothers- Ex-wife: Gabrielle Holmes- Current/Recent Spouse: Ruth Langsford (married 2010, separated 2024)– Children: Declan, Rebecca, Niall, Jack |
| Career Highlights | – Began at Ulster Television as reporter/presenter (late 1970s)- Youngest ever teatime anchor at age 21 (“Good Evening Ulster”)- BBC’s “Open Air” co-presenter- Main anchor of ITV’s “GMTV” (1993–2005)- Sky News “Sunrise” anchor (2005–2016)- ITV’s “This Morning” co-presenter (2006–2021) with Ruth Langsford- GB News breakfast presenter (2022–present)- OBE for services to broadcasting, 2018 |
Family, Early Days, and Beginnings; Rising Up.
Eamonn Holmes was born on 3 December 1959 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was the middle one of five brothers and the family was Catholic. He had an engineer father and a homemaker mother, Josephine. While growing up during the Troubles, Holmes developed a sense of determination. He was educated at Holy Family Primary School, St Malachy’s College, and Dublin College of Business Studies.
Holmes’s family has remained the bedrock of his life. He has four children, Declan, Rebecca, Niall and Jack and often speaks about the challenges and enjoyments of being a parent. In 2023, his brother Conor died suddenly and it made an appearance of vulnerability with Holmes writing tributes and speaking openly about loss. “Grief is love,” Holmes says; and there’s a comforting quality to this observation, one that will resonate with anyone who has grieved.
From Local Roots to Prime Time: TV Career
Holmes began his career in broadcasting at Ulster Television in 1979. He quickly became a local star, presenting the “Farming Ulster” programme, as well as sport specials. By the year 1982, he was already on top of the news. He took on current affairs on “Good Evening Ulster” and soon after became the youngest ever UK tea-time anchor when, at 21 years old, he left UTV for the BBC, co-presenting “Open Air”, a consumer affairs programme which would help him hone his skills in various ways, including interviewing.
ITV’s GMTV offered Holmes the anchor role and launched his breakthrough job in 1993. Through the morning show Holmes connected with millions as he surveyed serious news and exchanged light-hearted banter, which he would perfect across other projects. He was at the wheel of GMTV for 12 years, before going to Sky News to present Sunrise for 10 years.
However, Holmes is not just a newscaster his chemistry with his second wife; Ruth Langsford brought daytime television a new tack as they co-hosted ‘This Morning’, which ran from 2006 to 2021. Holmes and Langsford also took charge of documentaries and lifestyle shows like How the Other Half Lives, winning fans with their genuine chemistry.
Holmes’s versatility allowed him to join GB News 2022 to present the breakfast slot with Isabel Webster showcasing, once more, his staying power across the British broadcasting sector.
Achievements and Honors
Holmes’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. In the year 2018, he got an OBE for broadcasting services. He has won numerous National Television Awards and TRIC Awards, often cited as a firm favourite amongst viewers and peers.
He was given honorary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and Staffordshire University, among other awards given to him.
Relationship Stories and Real-Life Trials
Off-screen, Holmes’s life has at times reflected the highs and lows of his career. Following a marriage to Gabrielle Holmes, with whom he shares three children, Eamonn met television presenter Ruth Langsford in 1996. Eamonn’s marriage to Ruth in 2010 was a tabloid fixture and the pair often appeared together on screen. This year the couple announced their decision to separate due to demanding careers, but they will continue to be friends and co-parents.
In 2023, Holmes’ brother, Conor, also passed away unexpectedly. Holmes’ social media tribute “I miss you more than life itself” left fans emotional. Most importantly, this event proved to Holmes (and his fans) that family comes before fame. Following this event, he became more family-oriented as shown by recent interviews exhibiting a more reflective tone.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
As of 2025, Eamonn Holmes’s net worth is estimated to be between £5 million and $9 million, drawn from high-profile broadcasting gigs, event hosting, book sales (including his autobiography “This Is My Life”), and speaking engagements. Holmes is known for living modestly despite considerable celebrity wealth, a trait he attributes to his Belfast upbringing.
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Currency |
| 2025 | $9 million | USD |
| 2025 | £5 million | GBP |
Charitable Work and Real-Life Advocacy
Holmes is a patron and supporter of several charities, including Dogs Trust, Variety GB, and the Northern Ireland Kidney Patients’ Association. His ambassadorship and advocacy work often stem from personal connections including support for kidney disease patients, stemming from family experience.
Controversies and Lessons Learned
Even broadcasting legends face scrutiny. Holmes has sparked public debate and apologies over several incidents. In 2025, while on-air at GB News, he was prompted to apologise for describing something as ‘Oriental’ which led to on-air reflection on language and inclusivity. In 2020, his opinion on the 5G/COVID-19 link attracted criticism and attention from Ofcom, a demonstration of Holmes’s sometimes robust engagement with the public.
Holmes has made the headlines with an occasional gaffe in his broadcasting career. While it made the news, it also shows the risks of live television.
Enduring Influence and Legacy
Holmes’s open, matter-of-fact manner candidly admits emotional and family difficulties; over decades, he has been adaptable as a broadcaster and open public figure. He is a big advocate of real communication. He is a guide to the younger journalists. He is a flag holder of “real” television. Holmes’s tale is one of resilience, accessibility and above all, kin.
FAQs About Eamonn Holmes
Who is Eamonn Holmes?
Eamonn Holmes is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist, best known for presenting “GMTV,” “This Morning,” “Sky News Sunrise,” and GB News, with a career spanning four decades.
How many children does Eamonn Holmes have?
Holmes has four children: Declan, Rebecca, Niall, and Jack, from two marriages.
What was the recent family tragedy Holmes faced?
In 2023, Holmes’s brother, Conor Holmes, died suddenly, deeply affecting Eamonn and often mentioned in his recent media appearances and interviews.
What is Eamonn Holmes famous for?
He’s renowned for morning television, notably “GMTV,” “This Morning,” and “Sky News Sunrise,” as well as his engaging, candid presenting style.
Has Holmes won any awards?
He was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018 and has won multiple National Television Awards and TRIC Awards.
What controversies has Holmes encountered?
Holmes has had to apologize for live TV remarks, including using outdated terms in 2025 and sharing controversial views about 5G and COVID-19 in 2020.
What charities is Holmes involved with?
He supports Dogs Trust, Variety GB, and the Northern Ireland Kidney Patients’ Association, reflecting personal and family influences.
What are Holmes’s views on family?
Holmes emphasizes family’s importance, especially following his brother’s death, saying that family bonds and love are at the heart of his life and values.
What is Holmes’s current net worth?
His net worth is estimated between £5 million and $9 million as of 2025