Eamonn Holmes: Difference between revisions
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===Partnership with Ruth Langsford=== |
===Partnership with Ruth Langsford=== |
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Since August 2006, Holmes has co-presented the [[ITV1]]'s daytime series ''[[This Morning (TV series)|This Morning]]'', alongside long-term partner [[Ruth Langsford]] (or [[Fern Britton]]). Starting in September 2008 he and Langsford |
Since August 2006, Holmes has co-presented the [[ITV1]]'s daytime series ''[[This Morning (TV series)|This Morning]]'', alongside long-term partner [[Ruth Langsford]] (or [[Fern Britton]]). Starting in September 2008 he and Langsford became regular Friday presenters after regular co-host [[Phillip Schofield]] moved on to the same Monday to Thursday schedule as Britton. |
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Holmes and Langsford as fictionalised versions of themselves in [[Rob Brydon]]'s satirical sit-com on life behind the cameras on a topical news quiz, ''[[Annually Retentive]]''. They announced their engagement on 27 March 2009 during a live broadcast of ''This Morning''. |
Holmes and Langsford as fictionalised versions of themselves in [[Rob Brydon]]'s satirical sit-com on life behind the cameras on a topical news quiz, ''[[Annually Retentive]]''. They announced their engagement on 27 March 2009 during a live broadcast of ''This Morning''. |
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Revision as of 12:37, 17 January 2010
Eamonn Holmes | |
|---|---|
 Eamonn Holmes in 2009 | |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Radio/Television presenter |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse | Gabrielle Holmes (divorced) |
| Partner | Ruth Langsford (1996–present) |
Eamonn Holmes (born 3 December 1959) is an Northern Irish journalist and media personality. He is known for his work on UK and Irish television, notably presenting GMTV and This Morning.
School
He went to St. Malachy's College in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Career
Early career
Holmes studied journalism at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, and worked for a business journal before joining Ulster Television, where he hosted Farming Ulster before becoming a presenter on regional news magazine Good Evening Ulster.[1]
Holmes later moved on to network presenting in the 1980s Open Air on BBC1.
GMTV
 |
He started at GMTV in 1993, after making his TV debut in 1992 as an earnest police constable in Inspector Morse. His relationship with co-host Anthea Turner, from June 1994 until December 1996, had its ups and downs, though was distinctly characterised by the frequent downs towards the end of the troubled breakfast-time partnership. In early 1996, after publicly criticising Anthea and her pushy nature as Princess Tippy Toes, he gave an ultimatum to the GMTV management that they either sacked Anthea, or he would leave; they decided to sack Anthea.
One infamous interview occurred when monosyllabic David Blaine appeared on the show on 29 August 2001. It was while Holmes was presenting GMTV that former Doctor Who actor Tom Baker famously criticised him in an interview with the Metro newspaper. He said: "Eamonn Holmes with his terrible 'I'm eating shit' grin and that acid blonde: bottle blonde, black bush - Fi-ona, I think he calls her. I couldn't possibly go on, I would be sick in his lap".
Holmes left GMTV after reportedly asking for a pay rise of more than £500,000 a year for three days a week, which was refused after the management had noted that when Eamonn and Fiona were on holiday, the ratings showed no difference.
Sky News
Holmes joined Sky News in October 2005 to present the new-look Sunrise programme.
Partnership with Ruth Langsford
Since August 2006, Holmes has co-presented the ITV1's daytime series This Morning, alongside long-term partner Ruth Langsford (or Fern Britton). Starting in September 2008 he and Langsford became regular Friday presenters after regular co-host Phillip Schofield moved on to the same Monday to Thursday schedule as Britton.
Holmes and Langsford as fictionalised versions of themselves in Rob Brydon's satirical sit-com on life behind the cameras on a topical news quiz, Annually Retentive. They announced their engagement on 27 March 2009 during a live broadcast of This Morning.
Game Shows
In September and October 2005 he appeared as a celebrity contestant in Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon, progressing through to Sale of the Century before getting knocked out. He has also presented the BBC Two early evening quiz show, Sudo-Q that combined contestants' abilities to complete a modified Sudoku puzzle and to answer general knowledge questions.
He was the presenter of the National Lottery quiz Jet Set. On 20 May 2006, Eamonn's National Lottery programme, was invaded by Fathers 4 Justice protesters just as the lottery draws were about to take place. Holmes earned some media criticism for hiding behind his female co-presenter, Sarah Cawood, rather than confronting the protesters. Nevertheless, the incident was resolved quickly and did not impinge upon the immovable 8pm start time of the subsequent Eurovision Song Contest.
In February 2004, Eamonn co-hosted the BBC One show Would You Pass The 11+, produced by Wild Rover Productions.
In 2006, Holmes hosted the US version of The Rich List which lasted just one episode before being cancelled.
Other TV Appearances
He has occasionally presented Songs of Praise.
He was the main presenter of the BBC's coverage of the World Darts Championship in 1991 and 1992. He was also the main presenter of ITV's coverage of the Phil Taylor vs. Raymond van Barneveld showdown at the Wembley Conference Centre in 1999.
In 1995 he replaced Des Lynam as co-host of How Do They Do That? with Jenny Hull in the 1990s.
Holmes was the guest host for an episode of The Friday Night Project for Channel 4.
In 2008, he made a guest appearance in the BBC Three sketch show, Little Miss Jocelyn.
In 2007, he presented Eamonn Holmes' 50 Film Favourites shown on EMAP Performance TV's music channels, including The Hits.
In 2008, he authored a film for ITV1 called The Troubles I've Seen in which he and other famous faces from Northern Ireland recalled growing up in there during the Troubles. The film was nominated for a Sandford St Martin Award in 2009. The Troubles I've Seen was a Bite Yer Legs production.
In late 2009, he presented The Friday Show, a six-part entertainment series for BBC Northern Ireland.
Radio
Holmes presented the The Eamonn Holmes Show on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday mornings between 9 and 11am for 6 years. The last edition of this programme was aired on 30 May 2009 as Holmes' contract with the BBC was not renewed.[2]
He has also presented a Sunday afternoon show on London radio station Magic 105.4.
Writing
Currently Holmes has been writing a column for The People newspaper.[3]
Eamonn Holmes' autobiography was released in May 2006.
Manchester United
Holmes is a lifelong fan of Manchester United. In December 2005, he opened the eulogies at the funeral of football legend George Best. He also introduced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at his testimonial against R.C.D. Espanyol.
In Popular Culture
Holmes's nickname is the Pillsbury Dough Boy, as it is said that he resembles the fictional cartoon logo from the 70's.
He has been parodied in the magazine Viz in relation to his weight and an implied predilection for pies. Even so, he appeared in the unsuccessful 2004 film, Fat Slags. He made a further and even less flattering appearance in the August 2009 edition of Viz. During a recent radio interview Holmes also admitted being a closet fan of the popular female artist Kelis.
In September 2007 he received criticism for publicly describing footballer Joey Barton as a "cunt" during an interview with Maxim. [4] He was also criticised following a live interview gaffe in which he misheard Salma Hayek describing herself as 'half-Lebanese', mistakenly believing she had identified herself as 'half-lesbian'.[5]
Publications
His autobiography is called This is MY Life, a reference to another famous Irish Eamonn - Eamonn Andrews. It reveals some of what occurred behind the scenes during his tenure at GMTV, particularly regarding his stormy relationship with Anthea Turner.
References
- ^ Belfast Telegraph: "He has a passion for John Wayne movies"; dated 26 April 1996; accessed 17 June 2008
- ^ "Danny Baker and Christian O'Connell to front new shows on BBC Radio 5 Live". guardian.co.uk. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ The People newspaper online
- ^ "Barton cool about four-letter Holmes". Daily Mail. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ 'You're half lesbian?' Eamonn Holmes makes embarrassing TV gaffe as Salma Hayek explains her LEBANESE background Daily Mail, 3 October 2008