Eamonn Holmes, 64, and girlfriend Katie Alexander, 42, ‘first exchanged flirty messages 12-YEARS in the past’ because the couple go from power to power and ’embark on romantic £15k cruise’

Eamonn Holmes and girlfriend Katie Alexander first exchanged flirty messages on social media 12-years ago.

According The Sun the GB news host, 64, and relationship therapist, 42, were both married at the time and the messages initially included her then husband George.

Back in 2012 Katie’s former partner joked that he believed his wife was ‘flirting’ with Eamonn, but with both men sharing a love for Manchester United, quipped: ‘Good job we’re both Red.’ 

The couple have since gone public with their relationship and in September embarked on a £15K Mediterranean cruise, with Katie sharing leggy snaps of their trip to social media. 

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth Langsford, also 64, announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together. 

Reports then emerged that she’d been left ‘devastated’ when she discovered ‘messages from another woman’ on his laptop. 

A source has now told the The Sun: ‘We knew Eamonn and Katie got together via social media, but no one knew how far back they went.

‘Ruth will be shocked they were in contact 12 years ago. I don’t think she would have known.’

‘Eamonn gets a buzz out of replying to messages from fans. He and Katie had a real connection, and it blossomed into something more.

It comes after Ruth spoke candidly about heartbreak amid her divorce with Woman & Home in which she revealed heartbreak was her biggest fear, but not for her, instead fearing her son Jack, 22, would have his heart broken.

When asked what she ‘wants most in life’, Ruth confessed: ‘Happiness. Happiness for my son, Jack. 

‘When you have children, you look at them starting out in life and just want everything to be good for them, for them to be happy and to not have their hearts broken. You can’t guarantee any of that, but that’s what I want most for Jack.’

Ruth shares Jack with Eamonn and she is also stepmother to his children Declan, 35, Rebecca, 32, and Niall, 30, from his first marriage to ex-wife Gabrielle.

Jack came up again in the chat as she was quizzed on who or what was her greatest love. 

She mused: ‘My gorgeous son Jack, who is the most delightful, caring and wonderful young man. After him, it’s got to be my Maggie our rescue dog. 

‘I thought I never wanted a dog. I didn’t know I could love an animal as much as I love her, but I do.’

Ruth and Eamonn adopted the Border Collie in 2011 and are currently in the midst of a custody battle over the pooch – who is said to be like a ‘second child’ to them. 

Finally, Ruth was asked about her ‘plan B’ in life, to which she responded: ‘I don’t have a plan B because I never had a plan A. Ever!’

Both Ruth and Eamonn have been continuing to wear their wedding rings amid their split. 

While Ruth is believed to be single, Eamonn has moved on with relationship therapist Katie.  

It was reported last month that Ruth has hired a ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer amid the bitter split.

As reported by The Sun, Catherine Costley has been called up by Ruth, who is seeking a financial  settlement.

Ms Costley is known for her fierce approach to divorce settlements and has said all women should have a ‘go bag’ fund when exiting a relationship, according to The Sun. 

The divorce lawyer was once an apprentice of ‘Steel Magnolia’ Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain’s highest-profile divorce lawyer who famously represented Charles in his split from Diana in 1996.

Baroness Shackleton has also worked with A-list stars including Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna, and was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple’s divorce in 2008.