HEARTBREAKING NEWS: BBC Breakfast Cuts Live Broadcast to Share HEARTBREAKING UPDATE on Lewis Moody

BBC Breakfast guest issues Lewis Moody update after heartbreaking MND diagnosis

A BBC Breakfast guest has issued an update on Lewis Moody after his heartbreaking MND diagnosis.

The 47-year-old former England rugby captain revealed in September that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Since then, more than £200,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page set up by Lewis’s friends and former Leicester Tigers teammeates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd.

Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield, who has raised over £10 million for those impacted by MND, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Monday (November 24), where he shared an update on Lewis with hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay.

“I’ve been in touch with him. I think people who are diagnosed will take strength from Doddie [Weir], from Rob [Burrow], from Sid Lawrence, from Stephen Darby, from Marcus Stewart – I can keep reeling some of those champions who have fought so bravely against MND,” Kevin shared.

“Lewis will take strength from that, but will also pick the baton up. He’s won a World Cup, he’s undertaken loads of different challenges.”

 

Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) (Image: BBC)

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For more than 50 years, Tony Blackburn has been the reassuring voice of Britain — the upbeat Radio One icon, the nation’s first King of the Jungle, and a man whose charm seemed untouched by scandal.

But behind the sunny on-air persona, Blackburn’s private life once spiralled into one of the most extraordinary marriage breakdowns the entertainment world has ever heard — a truth he has never fully unpacked until now.

 “We both had affairs… and neither of us realised”

Speaking on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast, the 82-year-old admits his marriage to actress Tessa Wyatt was already fragile when a twist of fate turned it into something far stranger than an ordinary affair.

“I cheated,” he confessed.
“She cheated.
And neither of us knew the other was doing the same.”

But what came next sounds less like real life and more like the plot of a chaotic 70s soap opera.

Tony was secretly involved with their neighbour, Margo Webb.
Meanwhile, Margo’s husband Roger Webb was having an affair with Tessa.

“We were living parallel secret lives,” Tony said. “She didn’t know I was with the woman next door… and I had no idea she was seeing the woman’s husband.”

A love triangle is messy.
A love square is catastrophic.

 The book that destroyed what was left of the marriage

Years later, Tessa discovered Tony’s infidelity — not from him, but from his own autobiography.

Except Tony hadn’t even read the book.

The ghostwriter, eager for “more sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll,” added details Tony now regrets deeply, including his claim of having slept with 250 women.

“My parents hated it.
Tessa hated it.
And honestly, so did I.”

By then, the relationship was already slipping away.
Tessa eventually left Tony for actor Richard O’Sullivan.

“We married too young,” Tony says quietly now.

 Love lost… then found again

After his first marriage ended in heartbreak, Tony rebuilt his life with Debbie Thomson, whom he married in 1992. Together they welcomed a daughter, Victoria, and remain devoted partners to this day.

But Tony’s story didn’t drift into peaceful retirement.

 The health scare that nearly killed him

In 2023, what began as a simple tooth extraction turned into a nightmare: pneumonia, sepsis, and blood poisoning.

“My blood was infected. It reached my heart,” Tony revealed.
“I’m lucky to still be alive.”

Doctors warned him he’d be in hospital for weeks — but Tony insisted he had a radio show in two days.

He eventually spent two months in hospital, fighting for his life.

 The unfiltered honesty that keeps Britain listening

At 82, Tony Blackburn has survived fame, scandal, heartbreak, tabloid storms, and life-threatening illness — and somehow remains one of the most beloved broadcasters in Britain.

His latest revelation doesn’t tarnish him.

It humanises him.

Flawed, messy, resilient — and willing to tell the truth, even when it hurts.

And perhaps that’s why Tony Blackburn still matters:
because behind the golden voice is a man who has lived, lost, and learned… sometimes the hard way.

“I defended you… and you really did it?”
Vogue Williams finally confronts Kelly Brook over the shocking jungle rumour — and Kelly’s answer stunned everyone

When the I’m A Celebrity cast reunited at a luxury London hotel for cocktails, laughs and nostalgia, no one expected the most heated moment of the night to come from two glamorous campmates who insisted for weeks that there was “no feud at all.”

But Vogue Williams and Kelly Brook proved the jungle scars are far from healed.

What began as polite small talk over margaritas quickly turned into one of the most dramatic confrontations of the season’s reunion — and cameras caught every second.

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 “I heard something… and it’s really bad.” — Vogue breaks the silence

Vogue, 40, didn’t waste time easing into the tension.
After weeks of rumours that she and Kelly had clashed behind the scenes, she decided to go straight for the one story that had been bothering her.

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Vogue Williams headed to Kelly Brook’s room, where she eventually brought up the rumour to herCredit: ITV
 

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The former glamour model laughed after the claim was brought to her, but made no denialsCredit: ITV

With a tight smile, she leaned in and said:

“So… I heard a rumour about you. And it’s really bad.”

Kelly — who had been sipping her drink — froze.

Vogue continued:

“People said you ate three milk bottles before the camp got them. And I defended you. I said, ‘Not my Kelly — she’s not greedy.’”

The room shifted. Kelly burst out laughing — but not the nervous, guilty kind.
The kind that says: Oh… if only you knew.

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 Kelly’s response stuns viewers: “Little did you know…”

Instead of denying it, Kelly simply smirked.

“Little did you know…” she teased.

Vogue’s face dropped.
What she expected to be an outrageous, obviously false rumour suddenly didn’t seem so impossible.

When Vogue asked directly if she did eat the sweets, Kelly didn’t offer a single word of denial.
Instead, she flipped the script:

“You got cheese and crackers! You beat me in every challenge.”

A cheeky justification — but definitely not a no.

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 The milk-bottle scandal that launched a thousand memes

Fans will remember the moment Kelly, Aitch and AngryGinge secretly scoffed half the sweets before delivering the tiny leftovers to the camp — and then lied about how many they had won.

It became one of the most replayed clips of the season, sparking endless jokes, GIFs, and debates about fairness in the jungle.

Vogue’s reaction during her exit interview went viral too.
After finally watching the footage, she covered her face while branding Kelly “a snake” and calling the move “desperate.”

So when the two finally reunited, everyone expected fireworks.

They were not disappointed.

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 “Snakes in the camp…” — and a feud that won’t die

Throughout the series, fans speculated endlessly about the simmering tension between Vogue and Kelly, especially under the show’s new Rivals format that forced the women into direct competition.

Both repeatedly claimed they were fine.

But the reunion painted a very different picture.

Vogue looked genuinely wounded as she recounted defending Kelly, only to realise the rumour had been true all along.

Kelly, meanwhile, leaned into the mischief — joking she might buy Vogue a bag of milk bottles for Christmas.

Vogue didn’t even blink:

“I don’t need them now.”

Cold.
Controlled.
And very, very pointed.

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 What happens when reality TV rivals reunite?

ITV planned the reunion to be warm, nostalgic, feel-good television.

What they got instead was a mini showdown between two women who insisted they weren’t feuding… yet kept proving otherwise.

Fans are now split:

 Team Vogue: “She trusted Kelly and got played.”
 Team Kelly: “It’s just sweets — Vogue needs to chill.”
 Team Drama: “This is the kind of chaos I watch TV for.”

Whatever side you’re on, one thing is clear:

This rivalry isn’t over.
Not even close.

WHOLE NEW CAREER: Tom Read Wilson has been snapped up by ITV for a brand-new role on This Morning — and viewers are already obsessed

Tom Read Wilson may have missed out on being crowned King of the Jungle —
but just 72 hours after stepping out of camp, he has secured something even bigger:
a brand-new presenting role on ITV’s This Morning.

And according to insiders, ITV bosses didn’t just invite him…
they chased him.

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 A New Star Is Born on Daytime TV

Viewers fell in love with Tom’s warmth, poetic charm and soothing voice during I’m A Celebrity 2025, and now ITV has snapped him up faster than any finalist this season — even faster than new Jungle King AngryGinge.

On Thursday morning, Tom appeared on This Morning’s famous sofa, not as a guest… but in his debut as the show’s new “Agony Uncle”, answering viewers’ dilemmas in the emotional run-up to Christmas.

And he absolutely nailed it.

Ben Shephard told him:
“In camp, you were the person everyone went to. You were born for this.”

Tom blushed — then proved them right.

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 Tom’s Advice Goes Viral

When a viewer asked whether he should confess a crush at the office Christmas party, Tom delivered a line that instantly trended on X:

“Sow the seeds before the wine does it for you.”

Cat and Ben burst out laughing — and then offered him the job on air.

“Would you come back?”
Tom didn’t hesitate.
“I would absolutely love to.”

Just like that… a new daytime star was made.

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I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Finalist Tom Read Wilson has landed a brand new role on ITV’s This Morning just days after leaving the jungle

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The TV presenter, 39, was reportedly headhunted by ITV bosses shortly after finishing as runner-up behind new King of the Jungle AngryGinge (L-R Tom, AngryGinge, and Shona McGarty)

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 From Late Arrival to Final Two: The Tom Effect

Tom entered the jungle as a late arrival, an unknown quantity among fan favourites — but within days, he became one of the most popular campmates of the entire season.

His gentle nature.
His ability to listen.
His hilarious turns of phrase (“I try to be a shoulder… and a bosom”).
His emotional honesty.

He didn’t just compete.
He connected.

And fans reacted — HARD.

The finale received over 13 million votes, the highest in at least a decade, with many insisting Tom was the true winner.

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 Fans Are Still Furious He Didn’t Win

Social media hasn’t calmed down since:

“Tom should’ve won. Full stop.”

“Ginge has TikTok fans — Tom had the nation.”

“I’m not watching next year. Justice for Tom.”

But while the Jungle crown went elsewhere, the careers crown is clearly Tom’s.

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 “I Shared More in That Jungle Than I Have in Years”

Speaking on ITV2’s Unpacked, Tom opened up about the intensity of camp life:

“If you add up the waking hours, I spent more time with these people than with my own loved ones this year.”

And in true Tom fashion, he described himself as:

“Disbosoming everything — I surprised even myself.”

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 The Future Looks Golden for Tom Read Wilson

He may have walked out of the jungle without a crown,
but he walked straight into a primetime job, a national fanbase,
and a brand-new chapter on one of the UK’s biggest TV shows.

Sometimes you don’t need to win the game
to win the nation.

POWERFUL NEW CHAPTER: Martine McCutcheon opens up about suffering, illness, and years of putting others first

For years, Martine McCutcheon was the nation’s sweetheart — the girl who stole scenes in EastEnders, topped charts with Perfect Moment, and melted hearts opposite Hugh Grant in Love Actually.
But today, at 49, Martine is stepping into something entirely different:

 A woman who refuses to apologise for choosing herself.
 A star rediscovering her power after years of pain.
 And an icon plotting a comeback that could eclipse every chapter before.

 A Marriage Ends — But Martine Refuses to Crumble

When Martine quietly confirmed her split from musician Jack McManus after 18 years together, fans feared she might retreat from the spotlight once again.
But instead, something unexpected happened:

 Martine woke up.

Friends say the divorce wasn’t her breaking point — it was her turning point.

“She realised life is too short to sit still,” a source shared. “This is her moment, and she knows it.”

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Martine has made it clear she’s not going to apologise for prioritising herself nowCredit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

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She and ex-husband Jack split in 2024 after 18 years togetherCredit: Getty Images

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Martine has made sure she’s unmissable this Christmas thanks to festive partnerships with huge brands including GoogleCredit: Instagram

 From Pain to Power: The Woman Behind the Smile

Martine’s last decade has been marked by more heartbreak than many ever knew:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Lyme disease

Fibromyalgia

The devastating loss of her brother

She pushed pause on fame to protect her health and raise her son Rafferty.
But now, those closest to her say she feels reborn — more confident, more grounded, more fearless than ever.

 The Christmas Takeover: Martine Is Everywhere

Scroll through your TV this festive season and Martine appears in five major campaigns — from Costa to Google to new beauty partnerships.
Not just nostalgia; not just casting.

 Brands want her — because the public still loves her.

But according to insiders, Martine has no intention of stopping at adverts.

“She was one of the biggest stars of the ’90s. She hasn’t forgotten that — and now she’s acting like it.”

She’s taking meetings with directors.
She’s reviewing scripts.
She’s choosing projects with purpose.

And one offer, we’re told, could show Martine “in a completely new light.”

 “No, no, no.” — The Three Words Defining Her New Era

In a social media post that fans hailed as iconic, Martine declared:

“I’m excited for this next chapter. I know myself now. I’m not sorry for my voice, my limits, or saying ‘No, no, no.’
I just want joy.
I just want fun.”

It struck a chord — especially with women who’ve spent years putting others first.

 The Reinvention of a National Treasure

With her 50th birthday approaching, Martine isn’t chasing fame.
She’s choosing freedom.

And yet, ironically, that freedom is making her more in-demand than she’s been in a decade.

As one insider put it:

“If she plays this right, it could be the comeback of all comebacks.”

A woman who survived illness, grief, and heartbreak…
Now stepping boldly back into the spotlight, on her own terms.

 Martine McCutcheon isn’t just back — she’s unstoppable.

HEARTBREAKINGColeen Nolan Finally Opens Up About Her Son’s Secret Struggle and the Private Family Battle She Fought in Silence, as Her Raw Good Morning Britain Confession Touches Millions

Coleen Nolan has spoken with rare honesty about one of the most painful chapters of her life, revealing the emotional toll of watching her son struggle with addiction — and the impossible choices she faced as a mother.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the 60-year-old television star reflected on what she described as “years of crying” as her son Shane Nolan Jr, 36, battled substance abuse behind closed doors.

“It’s devastating to watch someone you love go through that,” Coleen said. “As a parent, every instinct tells you to fix it — but you can’t.”

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‘People Told Me to Turn Him Away’

Coleen admitted there were moments when even those close to her urged a harsher approach.

“I was told more than once that I should make him leave the house,” she explained. “But he’s my child. That wasn’t something I could do.”

She described how easy it was to excuse worrying behaviour in the hope that things would improve.

“I kept telling myself he was just tired, just going through a phase,” she said. “You don’t want to believe the truth.”

That denial ended when a serious incident left Shane needing medical treatment — a moment Coleen now calls her breaking point.

“I remember thinking, ‘If this doesn’t change something, I might lose him,’” she said.

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Coleen Nolan opened up about her son Shane’s addiction after ‘years of crying’ – and admitted that she was urged to ‘kick him out of the family home’ when he hit rock bottom on Friday on Good Morning Britain

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Speaking about the decision to talk about his addiction, Coleen (pictured with Shane), said: ‘When he did it, we were both nervous. I was quite emotional, because it’s really hard as a parent or relative to watch an addict’

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The Weight of Guilt

Coleen confessed that guilt haunted her throughout the ordeal.

“I truly believed I’d failed as a mother,” she said. “I replayed everything in my head, wondering what I’d done wrong.”

Over time, she came to understand a painful truth.

“Addiction isn’t something love alone can cure,” she said. “The only person who could make that change was Shane himself.”

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Speaking Out Brought Relief

Shane’s decision to talk publicly about his addiction earlier this year was entirely his own, Coleen stressed.

“When he told his story, we were both nervous,” she said. “But afterwards, he said something that stayed with me.”

“He told me it felt like a weight had been lifted,” she added.

Shane later explained that constant touring, late nights, emotional strain and personal upheaval gradually pushed him toward drugs as a way to cope.

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A New Chapter

After entering rehab, Shane turned his life around. He has since welcomed a baby son with his partner and is now focused on family and recovery.

For Coleen, seeing her son rebuild his life has brought both relief and perspective.

“I’m incredibly proud of him,” she said. “Not because he fell — but because he got back up.”

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A Message for Other Families

Now, Coleen hopes sharing her story might help others facing similar struggles.

“There’s still so much misunderstanding around addiction,” she said. “Families carry a lot of silent pain.”

“It’s not about blame,” she added. “It’s about compassion — for them, and for yourself.”

HEARTBREAKING: Fiona Phillips’ husband devastated as he reveals his “grief” – family says ‘slow goodbye’ to TV legend: “Bit by bit, Alzheimer’s takes everything…”
Fiona Phillips’ book is released later this month (Credit: Pan MacMillan Press Release)

TV presenter Fiona Phillips, once a shining light of British television, is now the centre of a heartbreaking real-life story. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 61, the 64-year-old is slowly slipping away—and her family are bravely opening up about the painful reality of watching her fade.

Martin has given up his job to care for Fiona (Credit: Splash News)

In deeply emotional excerpts from the upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, Fiona’s husband, Martin Frizell, shares how their family is experiencing what he calls a “living grief.”

Martin—former editor of This Morning—stepped away from his high-profile role to become Fiona’s full-time carer. Now, he and their two sons, Nathaniel (26) and Mackenzie (23), are struggling with the weight of her illness.

“Bit by bit, it [Alzheimer’s] takes everything. Through time, even the most glamorous, glittering star – such as Fiona was – will be wiped away,” Martin heartbreakingly reveals.

“On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love.”

Martin describes the lack of ongoing support families receive following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“You are pretty much left to your own devices… If I were to fall ill or worse, the whole house of cards would collapse. I have had to stay well for Fiona.”

The disease sadly runs in Fiona’s family (Credit: YouTube)

Since stepping back from work, Martin has taken over everyday tasks—from cooking and cleaning to managing bills and caring full-time for Fiona.

“It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally.”

But the toll on their marriage has also been significant. In the memoir, Fiona bravely admits that she and Martin separated briefly, not knowing at the time that her symptoms were tied to a deeper medical cause.

“I started becoming more and more disconnected from Martin and the boys,” she wrote.
“I didn’t seem to have the energy for any of it anymore.”

When Martin told her he was moving out, it was a wake-up call. Thankfully, the couple reunited, realising how deeply they missed each other.

Fiona revealed her diagnosis publicly in the summer of 2023, and shared the cruel family history that haunted her:

“This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me,” she said.
“My poor mum was crippled with it. Then my dad, my grandparents, and my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us.”

Now, Martin and Fiona’s story is shining a much-needed light on the silent devastation of Alzheimer’s—and the strength it takes to love through loss while someone is still right in front of you.

Source: https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/

GOODBYE TO THE PAST: Clive Owen OPENS UP for the First Time About His Younger Girlfriend, Says Proudly: “There’s One Thing She Definitely Has Over Amanda”

Clive Owen, the beloved Yorkshire farmer best known for his role in the hit series Our Yorkshire Farm, has finally broken his silence about life after his split from Amanda Owen — and fans are stunned by his latest revelation.

In a recent candid interview, Clive, 70, opened up for the very first time about his new romantic chapter, revealing he is now happily dating a younger woman who, he says, has brought a “fresh energy” into his life.

“I’m not looking back anymore,” Clive shared. “She’s different in many ways — softer, calmer, and far away from the spotlight. There’s one thing she definitely has over Amanda: she puts us before everything else.”

Though he didn’t reveal the name of his new partner, sources close to the family describe her as someone outside the public eye — a stark contrast to Amanda’s growing celebrity status. The pair reportedly met through mutual friends and bonded over a shared love of rural life, but with a more private, down-to-earth rhythm.

For years, Clive and Amanda were seen as the perfect farming couple, raising nine children together and showcasing their rustic lifestyle to millions of viewers. But as Amanda’s fame soared, cracks began to show. Last year, they confirmed their separation, sending shockwaves through their fanbase.

“I loved Amanda deeply,” Clive admitted. “But when someone becomes a public figure, the relationship changes. I felt invisible at times.”

Now, Clive says he’s focusing on a simpler, quieter life — one that doesn’t revolve around cameras, interviews, or headlines. And with his new partner, he feels seen and supported in a way that had long been missing.

“She makes me feel like a man again, not a character on TV,” he said with a smile.

While Amanda continues to build her own media presence, releasing books and making appearances, Clive’s choice to step out of the spotlight — and find love again — suggests he’s truly closed the chapter on a complicated past.

As for the future? “I’m not chasing anything anymore. Just peace, love, and a bit of laughter,” he says.

Ruth Langsford has ended months of speculation by confirming she is in a “wonderful new relationship” with Colm O’Driscoll, a 63-year-old property developer and her first love from their teenage years in Belfast. The *Loose Women* star, 65, made the revelation in an emotional Instagram post this morning, sharing a black-and-white photo of the couple holding hands on a windswept Cornish beach. “Sometimes life brings you full circle,” she captioned the image. “Colm was my first kiss at 16. 49 years later, he’s my future. ”

The announcement comes just 48 hours after *The Sun* published paparazzi shots of Langsford and O’Driscoll, a divorced father-of-two, leaving a quiet dinner at The Ivy Chelsea Garden. Sources say the pair reconnected in June at a charity fundraiser in Surrey, where O’Driscoll – who moved to England in the 1990s – recognised Ruth instantly despite the decades apart.

“Colm walked straight up and said, ‘Ruth McCullough, you haven’t changed a bit,’” a friend of the couple told *MailOnline*. “She laughed so hard she cried. They talked for hours. It was like no time had passed.”

The news has sent shockwaves through the showbiz world – and, reportedly, straight to the doorstep of Ruth’s ex-husband Eamonn Holmes. The GB News presenter, 65, who split from Langsford in May 2024 after 27 years together, has been openly dating 42-year-old relationship counsellor Katie Alexander since July. Sources close to Holmes say he was “blindsided” by Ruth’s confirmation.
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“Eamonn thought he was the one moving on,” an insider revealed. “He’s been parading Katie at red carpets, posting loved-up selfies… then Ruth drops this. He’s gone quiet. No tweets, no GB News quips. He’s stunned.”

Holmes was seen leaving his Surrey home this morning in a wheelchair – he has used one since chronic back surgery in 2022 – with a grim expression. Alexander, who has moved into his £3.2 million property, was photographed carrying coffee but declined to comment.

Fans, meanwhile, have flooded Ruth’s post with thousands of congratulatory messages. “YES RUTH! Live your life queen ,” wrote one. “Eamonn fumbled the bag,” quipped another. A third added: “Colm looks like he worships her. This is the glow-up we needed.”

O’Driscoll, a low-key millionaire who made his fortune in London buy-to-lets, has never been married to a celebrity. He split from his ex-wife of 28 years, Siobhan, in 2022. Friends describe him as “quietly charming, devastatingly funny, and utterly smitten with Ruth.” The couple have already introduced their children – Ruth’s son Jack, 23, with Holmes, and O’Driscoll’s daughters, Aoife, 26, and Niamh, 24 – who reportedly “adore” their new step-parent.

“Jack calls Colm ‘the chill dad I never had,’” Ruth’s *Loose Women* co-star Coleen Nolan revealed on today’s show. “Ruth’s beaming. I’ve never seen her this relaxed.”

The romance marks a dramatic turnaround for Langsford, who spent much of 2024 in the shadows of her marriage breakdown. Holmes’ affair rumours – which he denied – and his rapid move-in with Alexander dominated headlines, while Ruth retreated from public life, focusing on her QVC fashion line and dog Maggie.

But behind the scenes, she and O’Driscoll were quietly rebuilding a connection rooted in shared history. “They used to sneak into the Belfast Odeon to watch *Grease*,” a school friend told *The Mirror*. “Colm kept Ruth’s cinema ticket stub in his wallet for 40 years. He showed it to her in June. She sobbed.”

The couple have already taken several low-key trips – including a week in Donegal, where O’Driscoll proposed a “slow and steady” future together. “No rush to marry,” Ruth told *Hello!* in a follow-up exclusive. “We’ve both done the big white wedding. This is about companionship, laughter, and waking up without dread.”

Holmes, who has not spoken publicly about the split beyond a brief statement last year, is said to be “struggling” with the optics. “Eamonn always saw himself as the charismatic one,” a TV source said. “Ruth proving she’s thriving – and with someone from *before* him – has hit hard.”

Bookmakers have slashed odds on a *This Morning* reunion special, with Paddy Power offering 3/1 on Ruth and Colm appearing together on the sofa by Christmas. Meanwhile, Ruth’s Instagram following has surged by 40,000 in 24 hours.

As she signed off her post: “To everyone who sent love when I was broken – thank you. I’m not fixed, I’m *free*.”

*Eamonn Holmes declined to comment. A spokesperson for Ruth Langsford said: “Ruth is focusing on her happiness and asks for privacy for all involved.”*

SH0CK: James Jordan shares ‘overhaul’ SUGGESTION for BBC Strictly ahead of Tess and Claudia exit

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has called for significant changes to the BBC show’s format, arguing that contestants with dance training hold an unfair advantage over complete beginners.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, Mr Jordan said: “I think you have to put everyone on a more level playing field. That’s the first thing.”

He explained that trained dancers who find themselves in the bottom two will almost always be saved by the judges, making it nearly impossible for untrained celebrities to compete fairly.

Mr Jordan also took aim at the scoring system. Speaking via Freebets.com, the home of new casino sites, where he works as the entertainment betting expert, he stated: “Don’t have ties on a leaderboard if you want fairness, because those ties enable things like that to happen.”

BBC Strictly: Ola Jordan (left) starred in BBC Strictly from 2006 to 2015, while husband James Jordan (right) featured from 2006 to 2013 | GETTY

His comments come as Lewis Cope’s exit last week prompted fury among viewers, many of whom had the actor and partner Katya Jones lauded as potential winners from the start.

The former professional suggested giving the show’s dancers more solo performances to showcase high-level dancing, while keeping the celebrity competition more authentic.

Mr Jordan also argued that the programme needs to commit to one direction or the other when it comes to casting.

“Either go ‘Okay, we are going to pick people that are all got massive dance ability.’ It would be a great show, wouldn’t it?

“But don’t have people competing against them that have never danced a step in their life,” he said.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were eliminated from the show | BBC

He pointed to the American version of the show, where contestants are predominantly trained performers, as an example of taking a clear approach.

“To compete against people that are fully trained artists. It’s unfair, so it just needs to be a more level playing field. Either go one way or the other,” Mr Jordan added.

The former dancer noted that while Strictly has always featured some trained contestants, the standard has risen considerably over the years.

Mr Jordan called for the pre-recorded video packages to become more genuine, revealing what actually happens during rehearsals.

BBC Strictly: James Jordan left the show in 2013 | PA

“I want to see what’s going on more in the training room. Much more stuff in the training room. Show me them not getting on.

“Show me them struggling. Show me them crying. Show me them laughing, joking, the banter,” he said.

The former professional expressed frustration with the polished nature of current VTs, saying he wants to see “actuality” rather than heavily produced content.

“Let’s get to know the real stuff that you can see. It’s not a VT which has been produced. I don’t want to see it being produced,” Mr Jordan explained.

BBC Strictly: James Jordan and his wife Ola were once pros on the the show

| PA

He believes viewers would connect more with authentic behind-the-scenes footage showing the genuine dynamics between celebrity contestants and their partners.

Mr Jordan also criticised the judging panel for sometimes overshadowing the performances themselves.

“It just needs to be a little bit less about the judges, sometimes I just feel it’s a little bit panto now where back in the day, it wasn’t so much,” he said.

BBC Strictly: Katya Jones was heartbroken to have been eliminated last week

|BBC

 

Despite his critiques, the former professional insisted his comments come from a place of affection for the programme.

“I love the show. It sounds like I’m negative about Strictly, which I’m not. I love it,” Mr Jordan said.

However, he believes the upcoming departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presents an ideal opportunity for the BBC to refresh the format.

“I do think now that Tess and Claudia are leaving, it does need a little bit of an overhaul and come back really fresh next year,” he concluded.