Eamonn Holmes

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Eamonn Holmes

Eamonn Holmes in 2011
Born (1959-12-03) 3 December 1959
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Residence Weybridge, Surrey
Occupation Broadcaster, journalist
Years active 1988–present
Height 5 feet 11.75 inches (1.82 m)
Spouse(s) Gabrielle Holmes (divorced)
Ruth Langsford (m. 26 June 2010)
Children Declan Holmes (b. 1989)
Rebecca Holmes (b. 1991)
Niall Holmes (b. 1993)
Jack Alexander Holmes (b. 2002)
Website
Official website

Eamonn Holmes (born 3 December 1959)[1] is a multi award-winning Northern Irish journalist and broadcaster, best known for presenting Sky News and This Morning.

Eamonn currently presents Sky News Sunrise from Monday-Thursday with Charlotte Hawkins and This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford on Fridays and during school holidays. Holmes was a main presenter for the ITV Breakfast programme GMTV for twelve years between 1993 and 2005. He has also presented BBC One game shows such as Jet Set and SUDO-Q.

Eamonn is also heavily involved in a number of charities. He is patron of charities Kids for Kids and Dogs Trust.

Education

Holmes was educated at Holy Family Primary School in Belfast[2] and St Malachy's College,[1] a Roman Catholic grammar school for boys, on the Antrim Road in Belfast. He then studied journalism at the Belfast College of Business Studies, in the same city.[2]

Career

Television

Ulster Television

Holmes worked for a Belfast-based business magazine before going into broadcasting.

In 1979 he joined Ulster Television, part of the major ITV Network. Here Holmes hosted and reported on the station's Farming Ulster programme. Afterwards he became a sports reporter alongside Jackie Fullerton and Leslie Dawes. In 1981 Holmes succeeded Gloria Hunniford as anchor on the top-rated flagship news magazine Good Evening Ulster.[3]

In addition to his news and current affairs role, Holmes also hosted other Ulster Television productions, including Miss Northern Ireland gala specials in 1985 and 1986. He finally departed from the Ulster Television stable in 1986 to join BBC Manchester.

BBC

In 1986 Holmes moved on to UK network presenting the daytime programme Open Air on BBC One from Manchester.[1] Holmes also presented the BBC National Lottery game show Jet Set between 2001 and 2007. Eamonn presented SUDO-Q, a BBC quiz show which aired for 4 series between December 2005 and March 2007. He guest presented the BBC One comedy show Have I Got News For You on 20 May 2010.

Eamonn occasionally presents the BBC One series Songs of Praise, usually episodes filmed on the island of Ireland

GMTV

Main article: GMTV

Holmes started working at GMTV in 1993, hosting the first show on Friday 1 January 1993 alongside Anne Davies. He had a falling-out with his later co-host Anthea Turner however reunited they were on BBC NI show entitled the Friday Show in 2009 where they got on better. Alongside Fiona Phillips for 8 and a half years Holmes made GMTV the most watched morning show until his departure. He left GMTV in April 2005 stating the show had run out of real news and was now celebrity obsessed.

One infamous interview occurred when American illusionist David Blaine appeared on the show on 29 August 2001. Holmes cites this interview with Blaine as the most awkward moment of his professional career and one of TV's bloopers when he refused to speak and gave him the "evil eye".[4]

While Holmes was presenting GMTV former Doctor Who actor Tom Baker referred in a short interview with the Metro to: "Eamonn Holmes with his terrible 'I'm eating shit' grin ...I couldn't possibly go on, I would be sick in his lap".[5]

Holmes made his final appearance on GMTV in April 2005.[6]

Sky News

Main article: Sky News

Holmes joined Sky News in October 2005 to present the new-look Sunrise programme. He initially hosted alongside Lorna Dunkley between October 2005 and January 2007, but now co-presents the show from Monday-Thursday alongside Charlotte Hawkins.[7]

This Morning

Main article: This Morning

In 2006, Holmes began presenting ITV daytime programme This Morning on Friday mornings. He currently works on the show, co-presenting This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford every Friday and over the school holidays.

Northern Ireland broadcast

To mark the conclusion of the analogue era in Northern Ireland, the last region in the UK to officially experience the switch over to digital technology, Holmes hosted a first-time joint UTV and BBC Northern Ireland venture.

The programme, The Magic Box, celebrated 60 years of television broadcasting in Northern Ireland featuring memorable archive footage of broadcasters, news reporters and events. The one-hour live simulcast occurred on Tuesday 23 October 2012 from the BBC’s Blackstaff House studio in the heart of Belfast.

Personalities from the UTV and BBC Northern Ireland stables were out in force for the special nostalgic event. The show also featured a tribute to deceased broadcasters, which included the well-regarded Brian Baird (1929–1998), Holmes' co-presenter and friend on the Good Evening Ulster programme.

Speaking as he closed the show, Holmes thanked viewers for watching and said: "Here's to the next 60 years."

Sports presenting

Holmes has presented coverage of snooker, horse racing and darts on television[8][9] and was the main presenter of the BBC's coverage of the World Darts Championship in 1991 and 1992.[citation needed] He was also the presenter of ITV's coverage of the Phil Taylor vs. Raymond van Barneveld showdown at the Wembley Conference Centre in 1999.[10][11] From 2000–2001 he presented OnDigital's coverage of the UEFA Champions League alongside Jim Rosenthal,[citation needed] and hosted The Sports Show on ITV in 1999 and 2000.

Filmography

Year Show Role Episodes
1986 Open Air Presenter Series 1
1993-2005 GMTV Co-Presenter Friday Presenter (1993–94)

Monday-Thursday (1995-2005)

2001-07 Jet Set Presenter All Series
2004 Would You Pass The 11+ Co-Presenter One episode alongside Christine Bleakley
2005-07 SUDO-Q Presenter All Series
2005 Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon Contestant Some
The Sunday Night Project Guest Presenter Series 1, Episode 6: Alongside Justin Lee Collins & Alan Carr
2005— Sunrise Main Presenter Monday-Thursdays
2006 The Rich List Presenter 6 (but was canceled after the first episode)
2006— This Morning Co-Presenter Fridays and school holidays with Ruth Langsford
2009 The Feelgood Factor Co-Presenter All, with Myleene Klass
2010 Have I Got News For You Guest Presenter One episode
2013 Blue Peter - You Decide Judge 4 episodes

Eamonn's guest appearances have included:

Holmes has appeared four times on the long-running game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. Eamonn played alongside Alex Ferguson and won £32,000 for charity. On 1 September 2007, he played alongside Kay Burley and won £150,000 for charity. On 20 May 2012, Eamonn alongside Ruth Langsford won £12,500 for charity CLIC Sargent. On 19 December 2013, to celebrate the end of Millionaire on ITV, Eamonn re-appeared on the show alongside Alex Ferguson and won £25,000 for The Manchester United Foundation.

Radio

Holmes presented The Eamonn Holmes Show on Radio 5 Live on Saturday mornings between 9 and 11 am for 6 years. The last edition of this programme was aired on 30 May 2009 as Holmes' contract with the BBC was not renewed.[13]

He also took over Michael Parkinson's Sunday morning show on Radio 2 for a few weeks in 2008[14] and hosted his own programme on London radio station Magic 105.4.[14]

Holmes’ first foray into radio broadcasting was at Northern Ireland’s Downtown Radio in the mid-1980s.

Newspaper journalism

Holmes writes a column for The People newspaper.[15]

Eamonn Holmes' autobiography was released in May 2006.[16] The autobiography is called This is MY Life, a reference to another famous Irish Eamonn – Eamonn Andrews, who he was named after.[4][14] It reveals some of what occurred behind the scenes during his tenure at GMTV, particularly regarding his stormy relationship with Anthea Turner.[4]

Awards and Honours

Year Group Award Nominee Result
1998 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Show This Morning Won
1999 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Show This Morning Won
2000 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Show This Morning Won
2001 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Show This Morning Won
2003 TV Quick Awards Best Daytime Viewing This Morning Won
TRIC Awards TV Morning/Daytime Programme GMTV Won
2008 TRIC Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Eamonn Holmes Won
2009 TRIC Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Eamonn Holmes Won
2010 TRIC Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Eamonn Holmes Won
TV Times Awards Favourite Daytime Programme This Morning Won
IFA Awards Sky News Sunrise Won
2011 TRIC Awards Satellite/Digital TV Personality Eamonn Holmes Won
TV Times Awards Favourite Daytime Programme This Morning Won
National Television Awards Best Topical Magazine Programme This Morning Won
Craft BAFTA Digital Creativity This Morning Nominated
2012 National Television Awards Best Factual Programme This Morning Won
Freesat Awards Best Live Programme This Morning Won
BAFTA Craft Awards Best Interactive Programme This Morning Nominated
TRIC Awards Daytime Programme This Morning Won
2013 National Television Awards Best Daytime Programme This Morning Won
TRIC Awards News Presenter/Reporter Eamonn Holmes Won
TRIC Awards Daytime Programme This Morning Won
Legends of Industry Award Services to Broadcasting and Journalism Eamonn Holmes Won
2014 National Television Awards Best Daytime Programme This Morning Won

In 2006, Holmes was awarded an honorary degree by Queen's University Belfast.[1][17] He has also received an honorary degree from the University of Staffordshire.[18]

Other interests

Manchester United

Holmes is a fan of Manchester United.[3] In December 2005, he opened the eulogies at the funeral of football legend George Best.[19] He also introduced Ole Gunnar Solskjær at his testimonial against R.C.D. Espanyol.[citation needed]

Charity

Holmes is a patron of Kids for Kids[20] which helps villages in Darfur, Sudan. He is also a patron of Dogs Trust.

Personal life

Eamonn Holmes married his long term partner Ruth Langsford at Elvetham Hall in Hampshire on 26 June 2010.[21] The couple sold exclusive rights to report on the wedding ceremony and the reception to Hello! magazine in a deal that saw the publication feature the event over two issues, in July 2010.[22] The couple have a son called Jack Alexander (b. 2002); Holmes has three children – Declan (b. 1989), Rebecca (b. 1991) and Niall (b. 1993) – from his first marriage.[21]

Eamonn is one of five boys. He has an older brother called Leonard, and three younger brothers called Brian, Colm and Conor.

Homes lives in a six-bedroom mansion in Weybridge, Surrey with Langsofrd and their son Jack. The couple put their house on the market but were forced to slash the price by 7% after it was rumored they wanted to move to London.[23]

Controversies

Eamonn Holmes was accused of being opposed to LGBT parenting when he told two gay interviewees in a year 2000 GMTV episode that "You are not meant to have children. You are going against nature!"[24]

While presenting This Morning in October 2011, Holmes described singer Jonathan Wilkes as a "retard" on air. He later apologised after complaints and calls for him to be sacked. Holmes said "I have to say sorry to three or four of you who are upset because I used the word retarded. You seem to have taken it personally or think I am being insulting. I would never want to do that. There is this man who has an autistic child and said I insulted his child. I would never use it in that context. Sorry if that caused you offence"[25][26] The other presenters laughed.[27]

Also in October 2011, Holmes provoked criticism by suggesting that a rape victim should take taxis in future, leading to accusations of victim blaming.[28]

In November 2009, the impressionist Jon Culshaw appeared as Holmes on The Impressions Show in a series of three comedy sketches in which he was portrayed as having an appetite so uncontrollable that he eats a sofa, flowers and even a guest (Frankie Dettori), using the catchphrase 'I was fierce hungry, so I was'. Even though Holmes had interviewed Culshaw and his co-star Debra Stephenson on This Morning to promote the show,[29] after the programme aired the presenter instructed his lawyers to send a letter of complaint to the BBC.[30] The letter resulted in an apology from the BBC along with a withdrawal of any future comedy sketches featuring Holmes.[31] Both the complaint itself and the outcome of Holmes's legal action drew generally unfavourable criticism from media observers and online commentators.[32][33][34][35]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Holmes receives honorary degree BBC News, 4 July 2006
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Eamonn Holmes, television presenter The Independent, 28 June 2007
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "He has a passion for John Wayne movies" Belfast Telegraph, 26 April 1996, i'm also Gordon's minyon
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Eamonn Holmes: My Life In Media The Independent, 10 July 2006
  5. ↑ Tom Baker Metro, 17 October 2003
  6. ↑ Holmes bids farewell to GMTV sofa BBC News, 27 April 2005
  7. ↑ Sky's the limit for 'family man' Eamonn Mail Online, 19 May 2005
  8. ↑ Sport in My World: Eamonn Holmes Telegraph, 28 April 2006
  9. ↑ Eamonn Holmes Feelgood Factor, ITV, 2009
  10. ↑ Filmography HOLMES, Eamonn BFI – Film & TV Database
  11. ↑ SIMPLY THE BEST PHIL TAYLOR V RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD BFI – Film & TV Database
  12. ↑ http://www.itv.com/throughthekeyhole/episodes/episodeonephotos/
  13. ↑ Plunkett, John (8 May 2009). "Danny Baker and Christian O'Connell to front new shows on BBC Radio 5 Live". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2009. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Eamonn Holmes – This is his Surrey life Surrey Life, March 2008
  15. ↑ Eamonn – Man of the people The People
  16. ↑ This Is My Life: Eamonn Holmes: The Autogiography Amazon.co.uk
  17. ↑ Ulster-born TV presenter Eamonn Holmes was today presented with an honorary degree from Queen's University Belfast Telegraph, 3 July 2006
  18. ↑ Honorary Doctors 1986 – 2005 University of Staffordshire
  19. ↑ Final farewell to football legend BBC News, 3 December 2005
  20. ↑ Kids for Kids patrons list
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Holmes and partner Ruth walk down aisle Belfast Telegraph, 26 June 2010
  22. ↑ Only in Hello! Eamonn and Ruth marry surrounded by showbiz friends Hello!, 28 June 2010
  23. ↑ http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/news/moving-on-up-after-eamonn-holmes-insists-he-s-not-moving-to-daybreak-he-and-partner-ruth-langsford-put-their-surrey-mansion-up-for-sale_532253.html
  24. ↑ Jane Simon; Brian McIver (21 July 2010). "Dad'll do nicely". Daily Record. 
  25. ↑ O'Connor, Niall. Eamonn says sorry for calling guest 'retard'. herald.ie. 8 October 2011.
  26. ↑ Sheridan, Emily. Eamonn Holmes apologises after calling This Morning guest Jonathan Wilkes 'retarded'. Daily Mail. 8 October 2011.
  27. ↑ Small, Louise. Eamonn Holmes sorry for 'retarded' comment. The Belfast Telegraph. 8 October 2011.
  28. ↑ "Eamonn Holmes cricised for controversial rape comment". The Telegraph. 27 October 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011. 
  29. ↑ Eamonn Holmes Eat Your Heart Out The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson, BBC Comedy, 27 November 2009
  30. ↑ Eamonn Holmes threatens BBC with legal action after comedy show mocks his weight Telegraph, 19 July 2010
  31. ↑ BBC apologises to Eamonn Holmes over weight jibes BBC News, 19 July 2010
  32. ↑ Julie Burchill If Eamonn Holmes can't see the funny side of fatness, he should lay off the pies Belfast Telegraph, 21 July 2010
  33. ↑ Eamonn Holmes gets the BBC jokes eating away at him banned The Guardian, 22 July 2010
  34. ↑ Andrew M Brown If Eamonn Holmes doesn't like the BBC teasing him about being fat, there's a simple solution Telegraph, 19 July 2010
  35. ↑ BBC sorry for jibe at Eamonn The Sun, 20 July 2010

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