Ruth Langsford heads to Australia for I’m A Celebrity after ‘tough year’

Ruth Langsford is reportedly swapping the comfort of the Loose Women panel chair for the humidity of the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle to support a close friend

Ruth Langsford jetting to Australia for I’m A Celebrity after shock Eamonn Holmes split (
Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Ruth Langsford is being flown to Australia to take park in the imminent new season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! following her shock split from Eamonn Holmes.

The 64-year-old presenter is heading Down Under to be a surprise addition to the I’m A Celeb camp. However, fans shouldn’t expect to see her taking part in trials and tasks as Ruth will be in Australia simply in a supporting category.

The TV host will be cheering on her Loose Women co-star Jane Moore, 62, who is one of the 2024 contestants. Ruth and Jane have both been starts on the ITV lunchtime talk show since 1999 – a fact Jane has hoped will give her an advantage in the jungle.

After being confirmed as one of the contestants, she said in a pre-show interview: “I will fill the hours with good chat. I find people really interesting and I want to have organic conversations. I won’t be like, ‘Tell me about the time…’ but I will be asking questions just because I am interested. I hope they (my fellow campmates) don’t get offended!”

Ruth is tipped to appear on the new I’m A Celeb companion series, I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked which will be hosted by Joel Dommett, Kemi Rodgers and Sam Thompson. And she will be in the wings to support Jane during her time in the jungle – which she is said to be hoping will be a welcome distraction from her marriage meltdown.

A source told The Sun: “It’s been a tough year for Ruth and she’s been putting her best foot forward, she’s thrilled to have been asked to appear on this the spin off show and fly to Australia ahead of Christmas. She’s rooting for Jane and can’t wait to give her opinion on how she is getting on.” The source added: “The production team are particularly excited they have landed Ruth to join them as they think she’ll be amazing and give the new format a boost.”

Fans of Ruth were gobsmacked earlier this year when it was announced her marriage to Eamonn, 64, had come to an abrupt end after 14 years – while their romance stretched back to 1996. They confirmed their split through a representative, who said back in May: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”

Before entering the jungle, Jane said her “mum” skills will also come into play after as well as her interviewing skills. She declared: “I have been on this planet a long time and I will be the person who will try to help them out. My two daughters are really up for me doing it and my youngest one keeps telling me: ‘Mum, it is going to be amazing’. If there is someone young in there struggling, I know it will appeal to my maternal side. But cooking you will not find me putting myself forward for. I am not a good cook, I am rubbish. I know the food is going to taste pretty insipid too.”