Eamonn Holmes has issued a fresh health update, joking that his elderly dog is in ‘better shape’ than he is.
The TV presenter and GB News host, 64, has been suffering from chronic back pain ever since he slipped three discs in 2021 and underwent surgery.
Eamonn, who split from his wife of 14 years, Loose Women star Ruth Langsford, earlier this year, was then hit with a major setback when he fell down the stairs.
Since then, the former This Morning presenter has been spotted out and about using a frame to help him walk, with his mobility now seriously affected.
But Eamonn has still been able to see the bright side, joking with fans of his on Instagram that his 14-year-old dog Maggie might well be in ‘better shape’.
Sharing a picture of himself cuddling his adorable canine friend, he captioned the image: ‘A lot of you wondering about Maggie. She’s had an operation to remove a growth. All well. Not bad for a 14-year-old!’
‘In fact, she’s in better shape than me!’
The caption did concern a few fans, with worried follower Michelle saying: ‘Maggie is beautiful, Eamonn, but please do look after yourself. Also, I hope your mobility improves – it’s hard to keep an Irish man down.’
Maggie has been a loyal friend to both Eamonn and Ruth over the years, with the Collie cross appearing on the This Morning sofa on more than one occasion.
In the past, the former Sky News Sunrise host has opened up about the role Maggie has played in his life ever since he and Ruth adopted her as a rescue in 2009.
He told the Telegraph in 2021: ‘I’ve had a lot of illness in the past year. Dislocated two discs, my right leg was very badly damaged, my sciatic nerve – it’s been tough. And then I got Covid. I like the peace that Maggie brings me.’
Ever since he damaged his right leg and sciatic nerve, Eamonn has been trying brand new therapies that are enabling him to take steps forward.
Earlier this week, he showed off an ‘anti-gravity’ treadmill device which is helping him walk by assisting him with a ‘big balloon’ that’s designed to hold his weight.
‘This is my latest exploit. This is what is called an anti-gravity treadmill. The reason it’s called anti-gravity is you’ll see down here, I’m being supported by quite a big balloon. The balloon holds my weight.’
He continued: ‘What it does is, the machine, I can walk and run in this. It helps my legs and body remember what it was like to move like this before things went wrong.
‘This gives me a certain amount of freedom and the idea is that I build up muscle memory and things will happen, hopefully in the future.’
Speaking on GB News about his condition, he said: ‘I have been basically disabled for a year and a half or so, and it’s horrendous. I have to have carers to do the smallest, simplest thing.’
Hot Property Picks from Metro
You can buy this seven-bed home for £80k — but you’ll be the only person for miles around
Want an escape? This nuclear bunker could be yours for less than £20,000
Property experts reveal what the Leasehold Reform Bill means for homeowners
We built our posh shed office using stuff from the skip and saved £23,000
We bought our £298,000 Nottingham new-build using a little-known loophole
He called the experience ‘humiliating and humbling’ but praised his carers and thanked the heavens that they were available to him.