EAMONN Holmes set off for a romantic cruise with his new partner yesterday as they were snapped together for the first time.

The telly presenter, 64, was seen in an electric wheelchair at Heathrow Airport alongside marriage counsellor Katie Alexander, 42.

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Eamonn Holmes and girlfriend Katie Alexander arrived at Barcelona airportCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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The couple flew in from Heathrow, where they are pictured here

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Katie looked stylish in a stripy cardigan and beige trousers as she walked through the London airport

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Eamonn left the marital home in May after Ruth Langsford found messages between him and another womanCredit: Getty
It comes after his 14-year marriage to Ruth Langsford collapsed in May.

Yesterday, Katie, wearing a blue and white striped top and beige trousers, paired with platform heels, was seen pushing Eamonn’s walking frame at the departure lounge.

They were preparing to fly to Barcelona to board Virgin Voyager’s luxurious Scarlet Lady.

Called a “sanctuary at sea”, it will take 2,700 adult passengers along the Spanish, Italian and French coasts over the next seven days.

A source said yesterday: “Eamonn and Katie have tried to keep their passionate relationship quiet but they were finally on full public display. It’s remarkable how quickly they have struck up a tight bond.

“And after a week at sea together, who knows what will happen next. Watching the couple together it is hard to remember Eamonn and Ruth being an item. But that is now ancient history.”

The loved-up pair’s spirits were briefly dampened when they touched down in Barcelona, which was hit by thunderstorms.

They were seen outside the terminal building amid heavy rainfall as they waited for a taxi.

At one point, Katie was seen tenderly bending down to talk to the TV breakfast host.

On their Mediterranean cruise, the couple will enjoy bars, restaurants, theatre shows, a casino and even have access to a tattoo parlour.

Ruth Langsford breaks silence on why she’s STILL wearing wedding ring despite Eamonn Holmes dating new woman
Other celebs set to join them on the trip include Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson.

TV anchor Eamonn has been plagued by a series of health setbacks in recent years.

He had a double hip replacement in 2016. Last year, he had back surgery which has left him using a wheelchair.

And in January he broke his shoulder in a fall. Four months later we revealed he had split with his Loose Women presenter wife Ruth, 64.

She has confided to her closest friends that there was “no way back” for the marriage.

Divorcee Katie, a mother of three, struck up a friendship with Eamonn via Twitter back in 2015.

Her counselling specialities include “affairs and betrayals” as well as “separation and divorce”.

She has left her home in Huddersfield, West Yorks, to drive four and a half hours to Eamonn’s luxury pad in Kingston, South West London, nearly every weekend.

Their romantic cruise is not their first holiday together, despite only confirming their relationship in recent weeks.

Last month, we told how Northern Irishman Eamonn took Katie away for a romantic trip to Belfast.

We also revealed how Katie sported a shiny new ring on her engagement finger.

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Katie played with her long blonde hair as she pushed Eamonn’s stroller

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Katie pushed luggage when they touched down in Spain as they prepare for a sun-soaked cruiseCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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The couple have three large cases for the tripCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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Eamonn is having ongoing rehabilitation for severe back troublesCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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Eamonn and Katie looked relaxed as they chatted in the Spanish airportCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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Stylish Katie wore a stripy cardigan, beige trousers and tall heelsCredit: Andrew Styczynski

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Doting Katie appeared to be taking good care of EamonnCredit: Andrew Styczynski
 

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 conjugal,” 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 debuted 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 a 27-year relationship.