Eamonn Holmes replaced on GB News with no explanation as familiar face drafted in after his fiery clash with guest

Eamonn Holmes was absent from the GB News line-up on Monday as the programme was restructured, with the star replaced by a familiar face.

The 64-year-old presenter normally co-hosts the show with Isabel Webster, 41, from Monday to Wednesday, but was noticeably absent from the latest show.

Instead, viewers looking to watch the former This Morning presenter were greeted by regular GB News presenter Nana Akua, who co-presented with Isabel.

No explanation was given for Eamonn’s absence. The 53-year-old stand-in Nana, who made her debut on the show in 2021, and Isabel immediately launched into the day’s news, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s withdrawal from support for US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Eamonn was replaced after becoming embroiled in a heated row with a guest, angrily shouting: “Don’t lecture me – give me a chance!” during a debate about the Union Jack on Tuesday.

Royal broadcaster and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo joined anti-racism campaigner Imarn Ayton on the show to debate whether the Union Jack flag is too divisive.

The debate began when Eamonn discussed the recent news that a Norfolk village is divided over whether to fly the Union Jack flag, fearing it will ‘scare people away’.

The debate arose after Imarn said the British public should reconsider flying the Union Jack flag, which she said was “associated with the far-right”.

As Eamonn ended their heated and controversial exchange, he concluded the segment with his personal thoughts on growing up in Northern Ireland, prompting Imarn to react angrily.

Eamonn said: ‘When you fly a flag outside a village hall in Norfolk you think: what’s so special about it?’

Imarn hit back angrily: ‘Be considerate. No, be considerate guys. I know you’ve finished your segment, but Eamonn, I’m not going to let you finish with that segment.

“Be attentive to the beliefs and perspectives of others. If you are considerate and sympathetic to everyone and how we see the world, you will find yourself leading with equality. I’ll just end it here, so you know.”

Eamonn said: ‘Let me tell you something. You don’t have to lecture me. I’m in the middle trying to see both sides of the argument…’ to which Imarn interrupted: ‘Well, I have to.’

Eamonn shouted: ‘I grew up in a country…’, before Imarn interrupted him again: ‘You should have stopped my story. [opinion] but you’re done with Rafe’s [opinion]’.

Presenter Eamonn assured: ‘I’m done with everyone. I’m trying to say you didn’t grow up in Northern Ireland where a flag represented something political and anti-religious in Northern Ireland, I did.’

Imarn said: ‘And just like with black people, you are not black sir and I understand racism better than you. I have not experienced racial discrimination or prejudice or bias in relation to being white, but what I have experienced is that I am black. Ahh Eamonn, we are the same babes.’

“Ahh give me a break. Let’s go to the break. Back after this,” Eamonn finished.

Meanwhile, Eamonn recently shocked his GB News co-host Ellie Costello by making an inappropriate comment about her breasts last week.

The presenter, who recently split from wife Ruth Langsford, and Ellie discussed people walking around topless during Britain’s latest heatwave.

A dizzy Eamonn cheekily told Ellie: ‘You’ve never seen my boobs. I’ve got one that’s bigger than the other too.’

Ellie burst out laughing, while Eamonn joked: ‘It’s true! Don’t you have something that’s bigger than the others?’

Ellie seemed surprised by the question and replied, “No, I have that too. I think it’s very normal, so we can agree on that.”

Ellie tried to get the conversation going again by saying, “But I don’t think topless men are a very nice sight, especially on the streets during a heatwave.”

Eamonn’s love life has been in the news lately as his new girlfriend Katie Alexander’s ex-husband has broken his silence on his ex-wife’s new relationship.

George Alexander, who was in a relationship with Katie before she started dating the GB News presenter, said he had “a lot of sympathy” for Ruth Langsford.

In May, Eamonn and Ruth, both 64, announced they were divorcing after 14 years of marriage. It later emerged he was in a relationship with the blonde relationship therapist, 42.

Speaking with The Sun George, who was married to Katie from 2010 to 2022, said: “I have a lot of sympathy for Ruth.”

“My heart was broken when my marriage to Katie ended.”

Addition: ‘It took me a few years to recover. I know how desperate Ruth must feel. She’s going through the same thing I did after our marriage ended.’

George also stressed that his ex-wife had “a heart” and would therefore undoubtedly take Ruth’s feelings into account.

MailOnline has contacted Katie’s representatives for comment