Eamonn Holmes Left ‘Speechless’ After Olympic Boxer Corrects His Remark at Awards Ceremony
Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes was reportedly left momentarily speechless after Olympic boxing champion Kellie Harrington called him out on a comment about her sport at the Irish Post Awards. Holmes, 64, was presenting the double Olympic medallist with the award for Outstanding Contribution at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday when he remarked on the evolution of “women’s boxing.”
“You better believe it’s history, isn’t it?” Holmes said, adding, “And you know, women’s boxing has really come on, hasn’t it? I mean, it’s much more, it’s acceptable.” Harrington promptly responded, “It’s not women’s boxing. It’s boxing.” Her quick reply reportedly left Holmes “speechless and red-faced” for a few moments, as he hadn’t expected the correction, according to Belfast Live.
The event was a high-profile night for Holmes, who co-hosted with his reported new partner Katie Alexander, a relationship that has attracted attention since his split from former Loose Women star Ruth Langsford. Holmes and Langsford, who were together for over a decade and previously co-hosted This Morning, confirmed their separation through a representative in May. They share a son, Jack, born in 2002.
Recently, Holmes was seen back in Northern Ireland, where he visited the popular restaurant Stix and Stones in Belfast. The restaurant shared photos of his visit on social media, writing, “We had the pleasure of having Eamonn Holmes visit us this week. Thanks for stopping by!”
Meanwhile, as Holmes navigates his new relationship, his estranged wife Ruth is reportedly feeling anxious about the upcoming Christmas season, which will be her first without Eamonn. Sources close to Ruth told OK! Magazine, “Ruth is dreading Christmas coming up, because it will be her first one apart from Eamonn – who could be spending it with his new partner.” The source added, “This Christmas means creating different memories. Ruth and Eamonn are positively co-parenting Jack, but he’s at the age where he might want to do something different at Christmas, and that’s worrying Ruth.”
The night at the Irish Post Awards proved eventful for Holmes, whose comments on boxing sparked conversation about inclusivity and respect in sports. The incident also highlighted Holmes’ evolving personal life, as he begins a new chapter while maintaining his public presence in the UK and Ireland.