Eamonn Holmes gushes over 'unconditional love' who 'changed him' after marriage split

Eamonn Holmes has opened up about the "unconditional love" he feels for his dog Maggie, whom he rescued alongside his former wife Ruth Langsford. The ex-couple adopted the pooch from Dogs Trust charity 15 years ago, and since then, fans have seen her grow through various social media posts.

Following their separation last year, Maggie has stayed with Ruth at their former family home in Surrey.

Speaking about their four-legged friend, Eamonn said that while their connection remains strong, his mobility struggles have got in the way of caring for Maggie.

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"There's only one word I'd use and that's love," he said of their bond. "She changed me, changed my life and changed my perception towards people.

"I am now disabled. I'm in a wheelchair. I've not been able to walk for two years, and this has affected my relationship with Maggie for the worse.

"Obviously the dog is low down in the ground so I can't bend down. I can't lift her up. I can't take her on walks."

Chatting to The Times, Eamonn confirmed that Ruth is Maggie's main carer, though noted that their dog "still recognises" him.

"Although I can't do what I want to do with her, my relationship with her supersedes that," he continued.

Eamonn, 65, went on to describe his affection for Maggie as "pure" and "unadulterated", something he claims he's never felt before.

"[It's] love that I've often looked for in human beings, and suddenly you're getting it back, this unconditional love. There's just an empathy," he concluded.

Eamonn and Ruth announced their split in May last year, after 14 years of marriage. The GB News presenter has since found love again with Katie Alexander, 43, a relationship counsellor, while Ruth remains single for the time being.

In addition to Maggie, they have a 23-year-old son named Jack, and Eamonn also has three other children from his first marriage.

Opening up about their separation for the first time in February, Ruth told Woman and Home Magazine: "I'm quite fine being on my own, but not forever.

"Relationship breakdowns are very difficult, but you deal with it and have to move on. You can let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It's a choice."

Ruth went on to say that she wasn't "delighted" about their marriage ending, but had come to terms with the situation.

Previously discussing their shared love for Maggie in a joint interview, Eamonn made a cryptic joke about Ruth loving their pet dog more than him.

He told The Telegraph: "If my wife loved me the way my dog loves me, I'd be a very happy man."

Ruth chimed in: "We love her so much. You come home and you've had a tough day, a long day, whatever, and I see her and she sees me, or Eamonn, and you see her tail going, and then she runs off, and I know it's because she's getting a toy from her basket to bring you.

"It's just the loveliest thing. And you forget everything you were worried about, annoyed about, cross about."