Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford have reportedly been holding heartbreaking talks over who will get custody of their beloved dog following their split.
TV’s ‘golden couple’ have split after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together, declaring publicly they are to divorce after work commitments ‘took their marriage in different directions’.
Ruth, 64, shared a video of herself walking Collie cross Maggie on Sunday in her first social media post since news of their break-up emerged, with the pet said to be like a ‘second child’ to her and her estranged husband.
The 14-year-old pooch, who was adopted by the former couple in 2011, was a regular feature on Eamonn’s Instagram page when he and Ruth were together.
Former couple Eamonn and Ruth are said to have been living ‘separate lives’ for up to two years and are now having ‘difficult conversations’ over who will keep Maggie, and are said to be trying to avoid bringing in lawyers over the situation like Ant McPartlin and his ex Lisa Armstrong.
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford have reportedly been holding heartbreaking talks over who will get custody of their beloved dog following their split
The 14-year-old pooch, who was adopted by the former couple in 2011, was a regular feature on Eamonn’s Instagram page when he and Ruth were together
Former couple Eamonn and Ruth are said to have been living ‘separate lives’ for up to two years and are now having ‘difficult conversations’ over who will keep Maggie
A source told The Sun: ‘Maggie is like a daughter to them. They dote on her. But she’s getting on and they know she needs stability.
‘It’s a case of who can give her that. Eamonn adores her and Maggie’s been such a support during his health woes. The thought of giving her up is heartbreaking to him.
‘But if Ruth is able to get out and about and walk her more, then it may well be that she gets Maggie in the split.
‘They are adamant this won’t come to what Ant and Lisa went through and they won’t be getting lawyers involved.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Eamonn and Ruth for comment.
It comes after it emerged Ruth ‘orchestrated’ her split with Eamonn who is devastated and refused to sign off on the joint statement announcing the end of their near 30-year relationship.
Officially the couple said over the weekend they are ‘determined to stay friends and keep things amicable’.
But from being a joint effort – the statement citing their work commitments taking their marriage ‘in different directions’ was in fact arranged by Ruth, with Eamonn, 64, refusing to play a part in its release.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday, Ruth shared a video of herself walking the pair’s pet dog Maggie alongside another clip of her mother Joan
Ruth’s mother Joan was seen stroking Maggie as the pooch sat on her lap
Eamonn reportedly told friends that he ‘didn’t want to get involved’ and that ‘Ruth can do what she wants but keep me out of it’.
As millions digest the sad news about their plans to divorce, Ruth spent her bank holiday weekend with loved ones.
The pair have been living together until recently at their £3.2 million home in Weybridge, Surrey. Ruth took the dog for a walk in between the rain showers yesterday and spent time with her mother Joan.
She said on Instagram: ‘Enjoying the little bit of sunshine we got today.’
The former This Morning hosts, both 64, revealed they had split on Saturday after work commitments ‘took their marriage in different directions’.
A representative said: ‘Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.’
The couple tied the knot in 2010 after dating for 13 years – and say that despite their separation, they are ‘determined to stay friends’.
They are parents to son Jack, 22, while Eamonn also has sons Declan, 35, Niall, 31, and daughter Rebecca, 33, from his previous marriage.
Eamonn and Ruth have denied there were any problems with their relationship when asked in recent months, although friends of the couple say the marriage has been over for a year (pictured in 2009)
Eamonn and Ruth tied the knot in 2010 after 13 years together, in a lavish ceremony at the grand 19th century Hampshire hotel, The Elvetham
Insiders claimed on Sunday that the pair have been living separate lives for two years, with their relationship deteriorating after they left This Morning in 2021.
Eamonn has had a tough two years, losing the ITV show, as well as battling health conditions and grieving the death of his mother. The presenter is said to have been keen to move home to Belfast, but Ruth was adamant they stay put at their Surrey home.
A source told The Su on Sunday: ‘Eamonn and Ruth’s relationship changed when they left This Morning. They started moving in different directions in their careers and their priorities started to change. Eamonn was desperate to return to Belfast, which he thinks of as home, but Ruth would never move. It became a bone of contention.
‘As her ITV career continued, Eamonn went down another path and they became ships in the night. For the past two years they had led separate lives, professionally and personally.’