Eamonn Holmes has hit back at critics after suffering backlash for treating his new girlfriend to a lavish overseas holiday within months of ending his marriage to presenter Ruth Langsford.

The former TV golden couple confirmed the end of their marriage in May, 14-years after exchanging vows at Grade II listed Elvetham Hall in Hampshire.

Holmes, 64, has since embarked on a new romance with the significantly younger Katie Alexander, a 42-year old relationship counsellor.

Despite their generational differences, the 22-year age-gap did not appear to be an issue during a recent European cruise, with wheelchair-bound Holmes and his attractive girlfriend enjoying stop-offs in a variety of picturesque locations, among them Barcelona and Ibiza.

Since returning to the United Kingdom, the Irish presenter has rubbed shoulders with actress Kate Beckinsale – daughter of late Porridge and Rising Damp star Richard Beckinsale – after meeting her for the first time at an event in London on Monday evening.

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Eamonn Holmes has hit back at critics after suffering backlash for treating his new girlfriend to a lavish overseas holiday within months of ending his marriage to presenter Ruth Langsford

Social media followers flooded his Instagram platform with comments after he posed for a handful of pictures with actress Kate Beckinsale on Monday evening

But Beckinsale’s decision to strike a series of suggestive poses while having her picture taken alongside a receptive Holmes opened the floodgates on social media, with followers divided over his post-separation antics.

Returning to Instagram on Tuesday, Holmes – evidently unhappy with the online reaction – weighed in by liking a handful of supportive messages, including one which read: ‘So many nasty comments! If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all…’

Another message favourited by the presenter read: ‘Everyone learn to be kind with the comments on here. Just leave him alone.’

‘Not interested in the stupid comments, lets remember the amazing Richard Beckinsale,’ wrote a third supporter.

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail, Holmes’ recent cruise was in fact a ‘freebie’ which he was given after signing a lucrative deal to be ambassador for the giant holiday company Not Just Travel.

In return for the perk, the television anchor was obliged to film content for the firm’s social media platforms while enjoying the break courtesy of its cruise arm, Virgin Voyages, on a ship called The Scarlet Lady.

‘While it looked like Eamonn had whisked Katie off on a no-expense-spared trip away, it didn’t actually cost him a penny,’ explains a travel insider.

‘It was part of his deal with Not Just Travel so, if anything, he was actually paid to go – which was very fortuitous indeed, especially because he could take a plus one with him.

Returning to Instagram on Tuesday, Holmes weighed in to the negative reaction by responding to a handful of supportive messages with a love-heart symbol

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Beckinsale’s decision to strike a series of suggestive poses while having her picture taken alongside a receptive Holmes opened the floodgates on social media

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Holmes and Langsford confirmed their marriage is over in May, 14-years after exchanging vows at Grade II listed Elvetham Hall in Hampshire

‘There was an element of work,’ adds the source. ‘Eamonn had to film some segments to promote the company. But the fact he didn’t pay certainly lessens the whole idea it was a romantic trip away.

‘Katie didn’t seem to mind though, it was a lovely, sunny break for her as they enjoy their first throes of love.’

Indeed that was evident, particularly when Eamonn was seen cheekily touching Katie’s bottom while sitting in his wheelchair in Ibiza.

They couple were also pictured in Barcelona airport as well as when they arrived back at Heathrow.

It was a seven-day getaway, marketed as a visit to the ‘Irresistible Med and Rome’ and starting with Eamonn, 64, and Katie, 42, flying out to Barcelona where they boarded the ship.

Despite their generational differences, the 22-year age-gap between Holmes and new girlfriend Alexander did not appear to be an issue during their recent European cruise

From there, they sailed to Toulon on southern France’s Mediterranean coast, then Marina di Carrara – a scenic spot between Tuscany and Liguria on Italy’s north coast.

After a stop-off there they sailed down to Civitavecchia, 40 miles north of Rome which still has its old Roman dock, built in the second century.

Since Langsford announced their split in May, Alexander has been visiting Holmes at his home in Kingston in Surrey where he now lives after leaving the £2million marital home he shared with Ruth some ten miles away.

Initially, the romance was kept a secret, but their cruise together has most definitely put it on the map.

And no one will have been more pleased at the turn of events than bosses at Not Just Travel, who are said to be ‘thrilled’ that Alexander accompanied him.

‘The deal was Eamonn, but having his new girlfriend definitely made the whole holiday far more interesting from a marketing point of view,’ says an industry insider.

‘Her being there will have raised the profile of the firm so much – money can’t buy that kind of publicity.

‘Signing Eamonn up and giving him this trip has been worth every single penny.’