Eamonn Holmes has opened up about the brutal reality of his ongoing health battle, admitting life in a wheelchair has been “horrendous” and claiming society is deeply “ageist”.
The 66-year-old GB News Breakfast presenter has endured a string of major health battles in recent years.
His mobility issues began after suffering three slipped discs in 2021, which affected his sciatic nerve and movement in his right leg.
In September 2022, he underwent major spinal surgery in a bid to correct the problem, but has since revealed the operation “went wrong”, leaving him largely unable to walk unaided.
Eamonn Holmes opened up about the brutal reality of his ongoing health battle
| GB NEWS
Eamonn had previously undergone a double hip replacement in 2016 and later endured a fall down 18 stairs at his home while recovering from back surgery, breaking his shoulder.
Earlier this year, he was hospitalised again following a serious fall in his bathroom.
He now relies on a wheelchair and mobility scooter, as well as carers throughout the day, though he continues to front GB News Breakfast despite describing himself as living with constant pain.
Speaking on Scott Wright’s podcast, Session7, Eamonn was asked: “What does the future hold for Eamonn Holmes?”
Stephen Dixon, Isabel Webster, Eamonn Holmes, Ellie Costello and Ben Briscoe, accepting the News award on behalf of ‘GB News Breakfast’, attend The TRIC Awards
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“I don’t know, society’s ageist, I’m sick, I’m in a wheelchair, that’s been horrendous to deal with for two years,” he said.
He added: “Certainly, I don’t think TV wants to know you… I can’t get up. I need help getting out of this chair. I have to have carers throughout the day.
“But once I’m sitting down, I can do everything. I understand my job, I understand what I’m supposed to do.
“But I understand it’s tough for people to deal with you.”
Eamonn Holmes said that being in a wheelchair is ‘horrendous’ to deal with
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Eamonn went on to describe the everyday barriers he faces as a disabled person, claiming venues often fail to properly accommodate wheelchair users.
“When you’re disabled, it’s unbelievable how society… whether it’s a theatre, a restaurant or a cinema,” he said.
“The cinema never ceases to amaze me. I love the cinema, but when you go to the cinema and you’re disabled, you get two choices: you’re either at the very, very, very back and beyond of the cinema, or you’re right at the very front.
“And you think to yourself, why is this? Why does it have to be one or the other like that?”
He added: “Try and get a train in a wheelchair and carry a bag.
“It’s a whole area that we just don’t take enough care of, and we’re not told to take enough care of and it’s ghastly.
Eamonn Holmes speaking on the Session7 YouTube channel
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Session7 / YouTube
“You don’t think it’s going to go wrong, then it goes wrong.”
Eamonn concluded with a sobering reflection: “One thing you do find out over all is your health is your wealth.”