Eamonn Holmes has spoken out for the first time since suffering a stroke last week.
The GB News host was rushed to hospital, where he is recovering and “doing OK”, according to his son Declan.
Hours after Declan provided an update on his father’s health, Holmes, 66, himself shared a message from his bed.
He posted a photo of his two young granddaughters holding up a sign reading “Get well soom” – and, emphasising the spelling error, Holmes wrote: “Got this first thing this morning, from my two lovely granddaughters, so now doing my best to get well SOOM!!”
The presenter also thanked his fans for their good wishes, which he said are giving him strength.
News of Holmes’s stroke was announced by GB News, where the broadcaster presents a breakfast show. He was on a break from the show and was due back Monday (13 April). Alex Armstrong will present the show in his place this week.
The channel said in a statement: “Eamonn Holmes was taken ill last week and it was later confirmed he had suffered a stroke. He is currently responding well to treatment. Eamonn has asked for privacy as he focuses on getting better.”
His son Declan said of his dad’s stroke on Sunday (12 April): “What happened came as a real shock, but dad is doing OK given the circumstances and we’re taking it one step at a time.
“I just wanted to share a quick message to say we hugely appreciate all the messages, it means a lot to us as a family. For now, we’re focused on him and keeping things steady around him.
He continued: “We’d really value a bit of privacy as we navigate it, and what lies ahead, but thank you again for the support as it means so much to dad and the rest of the family.”
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Holmes, from Northern Ireland, who presents GB News Breakfast with his co-host Ellie Costello, is Britain’s longest-serving breakfast news presenter, with a career spanning more than 40 years.
Before joining GB News in 2022, he anchored GMTV between 1993 and 2005, Sky News Sunrise between 2005 and 2016, and co-presented ITV’s This Morning from 2006 to 2021.
Angelos Frangopoulos, chief executive of GB News, said on Saturday: “Eamonn is a loved member of the GB News family, and we’re with him every step of the way as he recovers.”
Holmes has long battled health issues after dislodging discs in his back, which he said previously impinged on his sciatic nerve and affected the mobility of his right leg.
He previously spoke about going through spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and his struggles walking and using a mobility scooter. Holmes had two falls in May last year.
The former This Morning host was taken to hospital after a first fall at his home, then fell from his chair live on-air.
