Eamonn Holmes has hit out at critics after he treated his new girlfriend to a luxury holiday abroad just months after his marriage to presenter Ruth Langsford ended.
The former TV couple confirmed in May that their marriage was over, 14 years after they tied the knot at the Grade II listed Elvetham Hall in Hampshire.
Holmes, 64, has since started a new romance with the significantly younger Katie Alexander, a 42-year-old relationship therapist.
Despite their generational differences, the couple’s 22-year age gap didn’t seem to be a problem during a recent cruise through Europe, during which the wheelchair-bound Holmes and his attractive girlfriend stopped at several picturesque locations, including Barcelona.
The Irish presenter has since been in touch with actress Kate Beckinsale, the daughter of the late Porridge and Rising Damp star Richard Beckinsale, meeting her for the first time at an event in London on Monday night.
Eamonn Holmes has hit out at critics after he was criticised for treating his new girlfriend to a luxury holiday abroad, just months after his marriage to presenter Ruth Langsford ended
Social media followers flooded his Instagram platform with comments after he posed for a handful of photos with actress Kate Beckinsale on Monday night
But Beckinsale’s decision to strike a series of suggestive poses while posing for photos with a receptive Holmes has caused a stir on social media, with followers divided over his post-divorce behavior.
Holmes returned to Instagram on Tuesday and made herself heard by liking a handful of messages of support, including one that read: “So many nasty comments! If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all…”
Another message the presenter noted as a favorite read: “Everyone needs to learn to be nice with the comments here. Just leave him alone.”
“Not interested in the stupid comments, let’s remember the great Richard Beckinsale,” a third read.
As exclusively revealed by the Ny Breaking, Holmes’ recent cruise was in fact a “free gift” he received after signing a lucrative deal to become an ambassador for giant holiday company Not Just Travel.
In exchange for the perk, the TV presenter was required to film content for the company’s social media platforms while enjoying a holiday with the company’s cruise arm, Virgin Voyages, on a ship called The Scarlet Lady.
‘While it may have seemed like Eamonn had taken Katie on a trip where he had spared no expense, in reality it didn’t cost him a penny,’ an insider explains.
‘It was part of his deal with Not Just Travel, so he was actually getting paid to go. It was quite a coincidence, especially because he was able to take an extra person with him.
Holmes returned to Instagram on Tuesday and responded to a handful of messages of support with a love heart symbol
Beckinsale’s decision to strike a series of suggestive poses while posing for a photo with a receptive Holmes opened the floodgates on social media
Holmes and Langsford confirmed in May that their marriage was over, 14 years after they tied the knot at the Grade II listed Elvetham Hall in Hampshire
“There was an element of work involved,” the source added. “Eamonn had to film some segments to promote the business. But the fact that he didn’t get paid definitely detracts from the idea that it was a romantic getaway.
‘Katie didn’t seem to mind though. It was a lovely, sunny holiday for her as they enjoyed their first moments of love.’
That was indeed clearly visible, especially when Eamonn brutally groped Katie’s bottom while he was in his wheelchair in Ibiza.
The couple were also photographed at Barcelona airport and upon arrival at Heathrow.
It was a seven-day getaway, marketed as a visit to the ‘irresistible Mediterranean and Rome’. The trip began with Eamonn, 64, and Katie, 42, flying to Barcelona, where they boarded the ship.
Despite their generational differences, the 22-year age gap between Holmes and his new girlfriend Alexander didn’t seem to be a problem during their recent European cruise
From there they sailed to Toulon on the Mediterranean coast of southern France and then to Marina di Carrara, a picturesque spot between Tuscany and Liguria on the northern coast of Italy.
After a stopover there, they sailed on to Civitavecchia, 65 kilometers north of Rome. Here, the old Roman port, dating back to the second century, is still located.
Since Langsford announced their separation in May, Alexander has been visiting Holmes at his home in Kingston, Surrey, where he now lives after leaving the £2million house he shared with Ruth, ten miles away.
Initially, the romance was kept secret, but their cruise together definitely put it on the map.
And no one will have been happier with this turn of events than the bosses at Not Just Travel, who were reportedly “thrilled” that Alexander was joining them.
“The deal was Eamonn, but the fact he had a new girlfriend made the holiday a lot more interesting from a marketing point of view,” said an industry insider.
“Her presence there would have increased the company’s profile enormously. You can’t buy that kind of publicity.”
‘Signing Eamonn and offering him this trip has been worth every penny.’