The Belfast-born broadcaster discussed mixing work and marriage at a speaking event in The Savoy Hotel last year
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Addressing the room at the Global Man event, where he was guest speaker, Eamonn gave some telling insights into his own relationship with Ruth and hinted at problems stemming from working and living together.
In his speech, Eamonn said: “Here is Ruth’s problem: she cannot separate professional life from private life. Ruth is the boss of both.
‘She’s marvelous you know, I love her, I live with her. She’s amazing — but …”
Eamonn, 64 – who is said to be fuming that Ruth orchestrated the split – went on to warn that, while it was one thing to find love in the workplace, it was better not to marry them.
He added: “Find your partner at work! Have a romance. Do all the dirty things you are doing but stay apart.”
His comments come as insiders close to the couple told how things were going to be ‘tricky’ following their split.
A friend of the pair told Mail Online: “This could all get very, very tricky. You’re dealing with Eamonn, who didn’t really want to end things, and Ruth, who did. At the very heart of that is a disagreement.
“How they manage to split their millions remains to be seen, but when it comes to money things are never easy. They’ve been together for a long time, but Eamonn was undeniably more famous when they got together.”
Eamonn and Ruth tied the knot back in 2010, but had been together since 1996.
The pair have worked together on-screen on multiple occasions.
Some examples include on Channel 4’s smash hit Celebrity Gogglebox, ITV teatime quiz Gift Wrapped and Channel 5 series How The Other Half Lives.
Most notably, however, the duo co-presented This Morning on Fridays from 2006 to 2021.
They also appeared together on an episode of the since-cancelled ITV2 Supermarket Sweep revival in 2019.
Recent years have also seen the couple diverge professionally.
Ruth and Eamonn Relationship Timeline
Before the shock split announcement, Ruth and Eamonn seemed like one of the strongest couples on UK TV – even with their signature bickering style. Here’s how their romance played out
1997 – The couple first meet after being introduced by mutual friends, two years after Eamonn splits from his first wife, Gabrielle, with whom he has three children.
1997-2002 – To be respectful to Gabrielle, the couple kept their relationship out of the limelight. Ruth told Daily Mail: “I thought it spoke volumes about the sort of man he was, the sort of father he was and the integrity he had. It made me love him more, not less.”
2002 – Ruth and Eamonn welcome their son, Jack, to the family
2005 – Eamonn finalises his divorce with Gabrielle
2006 – The pair begin to host Friday episodes of This Morning together
2010 – Eamonn proposes to Ruth while at the Cheltenham Races, after asking Ruth’s mother for her hand
June 2010 – Eamonn and Ruth marry at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire
2016 – Eamonn undergoes a double hip replacement in the first of many health battles.
June 2019 – On This Morning, Ruth and Eamonn say the secret to their happy marriage. Eamonn credits “compromise, consideration and lots of conjugals,” while Ruth said it was “laughter and an equal marriage”
November 2020 – Ruth and Eamonn are replaced on their regular Friday slot by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in a ‘show shake-up’
December 2021 – After a year of being moved to the bank holiday presenting slot, both Eamonn and Ruth left This Morning
January 2022 – Eamonn makes his debut on GB News, while Ruth stayed with ITV in her long-standing role on Loose Women.
September 2022 – Eamonn undergoes spinal surgery after years of back issues including a trapped sciatic nerve.
November 2022 – Eamonn falls down the stairs of his Surrey home with Ruth and breaks his shoulder, requiring a new operation
September 2023 – Eamonn has a spine and neck stretching procedure as part of his year-long recovery
May 2024 – Ruth and Eamonn announce they have split after 14 years of marriage and 27 year relationship
Eamonn made the move to GB News in late 2021.
He co-presents Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel alongside Isabel Webster.
Meanwhile, Ruth has continued her long-standing role on ITV’s Loose Women.
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