Eamonn Holmes shares tribute to Ruth Langsford’s late sister Julia after fighting back tears on This Morning

The presenter thanked fans for their "love and kind words" during the difficult time
Emotional : Eamonn Holmes addressed the recent bereavement
Rex Features

Eamonn Holmes shared an emotional tribute to Ruth Langsford’s sister Julia as he thanked fans for their “kindness and compassion” following her death.

The TV presenter fought back tears last week as he addressed the loss of his sister-in-law live on This Morning.

“I just wanted to say, if I haven’t done so directly, Thank u [sic] for your kindness and compassion towards Ruth and the loss of her sister Julia,” Holmes wrote on Twitter.

“We both loved and cared for Julia with all our hearts and will miss her forever. Your love and kind words have been a great help. Thank you.”

Langsford confirmed last week that her older sister had passed away after a “long illness” and told fans that she would be “taking time to grieve.”

Posting a smiling photo of her with her arm around Julia on Instagram, she wrote: “My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness. My heart is completely broken.

“She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever. As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family. Thank you for your understanding.”

Eamonn Holmes's emotional intro to This Morning after death of sister-in-law

Rylan Clark-Neal stood in for Langsford on Friday’s edition of This Morning and supported Holmes as he choked up while referencing their recent loss.

“You may be aware of the terrible bereavement Ruth had yesterday,” he told viewers before reading out his wife’s social media message, eventually struggling to make it through the post.

He later thanked Clark-Neal for stepping in at the last minute, telling viewers: “Nobody understands more than Rylan, he has been a great comfort to Ruth and a great help.”