Eamonn Holmes says he’s ‘on borrowed time and never OK’

Eamonn Holmes struggled onto the stage with the aid of a walker at the TRIC Awards on Tuesday afternoon as he accepted an award. 

In his first public appearance since news of his shock divorce from Ruth Langsford, the TV presenter, 64, admitted he is on ‘borrowed time’ as he confessed: ‘I’m not OK. This is not a good time at all’. 

And Eamonn appeared to take a swipe at his estranged wife as he picked up an award for best breakfast show.

Accepting the gong, the GB News presenter inferred that he had been stabbed in the back, as he told the audience: ‘So I got two things in my back that I didn’t want,’ seemingly referring to both his operation and Ruth. 

He said: ‘I think sometimes we [GB News presenters] all have imposter syndrome, why is, that sort of thing. 

‘I went for an operation a year and a half ago and it went wrong. So I got two things in my back that I didn’t want, so why not, I’ll happily accept this.’

The TV star and Ruth, both 64, announced their plans to divorce last month after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together and Eamonn has since moved out of his marital home in Surrey. 

Opening up to The Mirror about his personal life he explained: ‘It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.’

The star also admitted he feels as though he is on ‘borrowed time’ as his father died at 65 of a fatal heart attack.  

Eamonn was seen arriving at the awards in a wheelchair as he suffers from chronic back pain and is undergoing painful physio sessions.

Speaking in January he said the ‘harsh reality’ could be that he may never be able to walk alone again unaided. 

And Eamonn admitted he didn’t even know if he would be able to attend the annual TRIC Awards on Tuesday, however his new high tech equipment has allowed him to be more comfortable. 

He added: ‘I wasn’t going to come, but I’ve got this new chair with all these gadgets.’

As GB News Breakfast was named the Best News programme Eamonn took to the stage accepted the accolade on behalf of the team. 

He told the audience: ‘I had an operation a year and a half ago, and two things went wrong so I have two things in my back I don’t want. So I’ll happily accept this.’

Discussing his woes at the beginning of the year, he said: ‘It’s as if somebody up there is playing with my life. In the past year I’ve had an operation on my back which went wrong and has confined me to a wheelchair. 

‘I’ve fallen and broken my shoulder. Honestly you could not make it up.’

He added: ‘I have tried every treatment, but you go. Maybe I’ll never get out of it,’ which is a harsh reality to face.’

Eamonn was also nominated for Best News Presenter at the awards, however he lost out on the accolade to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. 

The politician looked in great spirits as he gripped the award as he took an afternoon off from his campaign ahead of the General Election next week.  

Meanwhile Charlotte Hawkins showed her support for her former Sky News co-host following his devastating split from Ruth. 

Charlotte, now a presenter on Good Morning Britain, was seen hugging Eamonn at the TRIC awards in London as he sat in a wheelchair with his colleagues from GB News.

Onlookers watched as she giggled with a frail looking Eamonn, while placing her hand on his back during the event which was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair.

The pair, who hosted the Sunrise show together between 2007 and 2014, were seen chatting for several minutes in what was his first public appearance since his separation from Ruth was announced.

One onlooker said: ‘Charlotte looked really concerned for Eamonn, she went over from her own table to see him as it would have been pretty difficult for him to move.

‘Charlotte appeared to be comforting him and checking he was okay. They were chatting and then had a bit of a giggle.’

His reunion with her comes just days after it emerged that he is being supported through his marriage split by blonde relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 42, for the last 12 months.

Eamonn, who was shortlisted for news presenter alongside his GB News co-star Nigel Farage and GMB’s Susanna Reid surprised fellow guests by turning up in a wheelchair.

Unlike previous years, he didn’t take part in the red carpet arrivals but instead arrived quietly through a different entrance.

He did though, have the full support of his colleagues, including his GB News breakfast show sidekick Isabelle Webster who said the whole channel is behind him.

She told MailOnline: ‘Obviously he’s gone through an awful lot and we’re all behind him. Today will be nice for him and I’m looking out for him. It’s hard for anyone to do TV even if they’re going through something or not.’

Eamonn was later seen enjoying a performance from popstar Pixie Lott who was the entertainment for the event.

Aside from Charlotte, Eamonn is also being consoled by two blonde beauties, his relationship counsellor Katie Alexander and aesthetician Lisa Harris, amid his divorce.

While his pairing with Lisa is believed to be platonic, sources have told MailOnline that Katie is ‘in love’ with the broadcaster. 

Katie, 42, is said to be ‘smitten’ with the presenter after supporting him during his turbulent split.

The divorcee and mother-of-three has grown close to the star after a ‘string of outings’ together, and has reportedly said she is ‘in it for the long haul.’

Now, friends have told MailOnline that she and Eamonn are so close she’s ‘in love’ with him.

The TRIC Awards, which launched in 1969, sees celebrities from a range of mediums come together to celebrate the respective achievements of online and on-screen productions.

And Pixie Lott was among the early arrivals as she joined soap actresses Tina O’Brien and Danielle Harold on the red carpet. 

The singer, 33, caught the eye in a stylish one shoulder-dress with a thigh-skimming hemline as she greeted onlookers at the annual event. 

A matching scarf complemented the outfit, while black leather ankle-boots rounded off her ensemble. 

Joining the pop star, Tina – best known for her long-serving role as Sarah Platt in Coronation Street – claimed her own share of the spotlight in a vibrant red blazer and matching shorts. 

The actress, 40, complimented the co-ord – and boosted her cleavage – with a form-fitting crop top that fully exposed her abs, while matching strappy heels completed the look. 

Elsewhere Danielle looked appropriately elegant in a sleeveless taupe gown that drew attention to her slender physique. 

The actress, 32, who won a British Soap Award for her portrayal of cancer stricken Lola Pearce in EastEnders, rounded off her look with a pair of black suede peep-toe boots. 

Also in attendance on Tuesday afternoon, Good Morning Britain weather-girl Laura Tobin referenced the UK’s current heatwave in a floral print dress as she joined colleagues Charlotte Hawkins, Sean Fletcher and Ed Balls on the red carpet. 

The TV meteorologist, 42, completed her look with a pair of strappy gold heels, whilea lilac leather handbag served as her only notable accessory.

Adding her own touch of glamour to proceedings, co-presenter Charlotte, 49, turned heads in an emerald green gown with a thigh-high side-slash.

Other guests included Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, 63, who greeted onlookers with a smile as she arrived in  a smart green trouser-suit. 

The ballroom professional offset the look with a neutral white vest top, while a string of matching pearls provided a focal point as she posed for photos before making her way inside. 

Actress and TV presenter Zoe Hardman looked equally stylish in a cream gilet and matching shorts that fully exposed her toned legs. 

The 42-year old rounded off her look with a pair of strappy heels, while distinctive gold bracelets were worn on both wrists. 

Not to be outdone, Lady Victoria Hervey left little to the imagination after making her entrance in an embellished semi-sheer gown.

The British socialite, 47, partially revealed her side-boob as she crossed the red carpet before mingling with guests at the Grosvenor House hotel event.  

Chasers Jenny Ryan and Anne Hegerty proudly accepted the Game Show Award for ITV quiz show The Chase.

The two trivia geniuses, known on the show as The Vixen and The Governess, beamed as they picked up the gong.

Recently dumped Love Islanders Munveer Jabbal and Patsy Field accepted the Social Media Broadcast Award on behalf of Joe Wicks. 

Podcast, celebrating with The Traitors’ stars Jaz Singh and Andrew Jenkins.

The football themed podcast beat out competition from Staying Relevant: Sam Thompson & Pete Wicks, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and The Rest is History.

Fred Sirieix beamed as he collected his Food Award trophy for Gordon, Gino and Fred: Viva España!.

But the biggest winner of the night by far was Ken Bruce, who joyfully scooped up three separate awards.

The radio presenter looked sharp in a paisley patterned shirt and blazer as he was first awarded with the Radio Personality Award.

Steve Sidwell accepted the Podcast Award, which was won by That Peter Crouch

But he was soon also presented with the OK! Daytime Award by actor and comedian Jon Culshaw, beating out A Place in the Sun, Escape to the Country and Homes Under the Hammer.

A delighted Ken then completed his trifecta of trophies by winning the coveted Radio Award, over the likes of Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden and The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show.

Maureen Lipman stood out from the crowd in a very bold square patterned dress and purple high heels.

The actress scooped the Soap Actor Award for starring as Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street and couldn’t hide her glee.

She posed holding up the trophy, while sporting a long costume pearl necklace and bizarre pink fedora.