Fans were pleased to see former This Morning star Eamonn Holmes looking on top form as he brought his GB News show to Manchester. The 62-year-old broadcaster and journalist recently opened up about his battle with shingles, saying he 'can't bear' to look at photos from his son Declan's wedding after he was stricken with the infection that causes a painful rash and is by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Eamonn took to Instagram with a picture of himself, showing his swollen eye and red rash. And he spoke on Steph's Packed Lunch about his 40 years as a broadcaster while raising awareness of shingles for Shingles Awareness Week.
Speaking to the Channel 4 show's host Steph McGovern he said: "I woke up with it, I looked in the mirror - and there it was like Quasimodo looking back at me." He added: "Those blisters, especially around my eyes, are particularly dangerous because if it impacts on your optic nerve, it could be really serious. It was quite scary."
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Sharing a snap of himself and his GB News breakfast show co-presenter Isabel Webster, he was told he looked 'amazing' by his Instagram followers. And Eamonn, who has also been open about his use of a walking stick to help him with chronic back pain, was pleased when another fan told him he looked 'trim and healthy.'
Former Loose Women presenter Saira Khan said: "You look amazing." And actress Mika Simmons commented: "Eamonn you look amazing! Keep on moving."
Louisebrady_ commented: "@eamonnholmes looking about 25 years younger that Manchester air suits you." And bwilcox1950 said: "Eamonn you are looking so trim and healthy."
Eamonn wrote: "We came to Manchester to celebrate the amazing rise in the #GBNEWS audience here. Isabel and I have really enjoyed meeting so many of you in the flesh. Hope we r in your Hood next time."
Eamonn vowed to "give a voice to the people of Manchester" with his show as it moved from its permanent home in Paddington, London this week to the home of his beloved Manchester United. The avid Reds fan has been filming his show inside the Hilton as part of a special series of programmes.
The programme has moved into the hotel’s Cloud 23 bar with a panoramic window to the city. Famous faces to have joined Eamonn on the sofa have included Tarun Kapur, national leader of education and director of the Manchester United Foundation Board and Tom Bloxham, the chairman of Urban Splash and a trustee of the Manchester United Foundation and he was also joined by Seema Malhotra, star of the Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Speaking exclusively to the Manchester Evening News Eamonn told why he joined the new channel which launched last year. “Having lived in Manchester for many years it’s a real privilege to bring the show to the city and to report on issues that matter to local people," he said.
"One of the main reasons I wanted to join GB News was to try and provide a voice to viewers from all across the country. Too many news programmes these days get preoccupied with what’s going on in London and forget there’s a big wide world outside of the capital.
"That’s why it’s been wonderful to meet and speak to so many people working and living in the city over the last few days. Our aim each morning is simple - to 'shine a light' on issues impacting Mancunians."
And Isabel said: "Mancunians are rightly proud of their city. One of the first things that struck me when my train pulled in at the weekend was how everywhere you look there seem to be cranes.
"There’s so many exciting developments going on throughout the city and it’s fantastic to see so many exciting projects underway after such a difficult couple of years during the pandemic. Ministers now need to show the same level of ambition to ensure that this wonderful city gets the very best opportunities to grow and prosper."
It was confirmed in December that Eamonn was quitting This Morning to join GB News. He hosted the popular ITV show for 15 years alongside wife Ruth Langsford.
It was later confirmed by ITV that Ruth would continue to work with the broadcaster as a "continuing member of the This Morning family and as an anchor presenter on Loose Women." Eamonn's career has spanned 40 years, including 12 years co-presenting GMTV. And he spent 11 years hosting Sunrise on Sky News.
Breakfast with Eamonn and Isbael is on GB News Monday-Thursday 6-9.30am.
