Eamonn Holmes breaks silence after This Morning axe to remember Des O’Connor

Eamonn Holmes returned to social media on Sunday to remember tragic TV star Des O’Connor as one-of-a-kind.

Heartbroken Eamonn posted a sweet tribute to the star on Instagram and Twitter hours after his death was announced on Sunday morning.

The Irishman says Des’ kindness always struck him – and wanted to remember the 88-year-old with a small tribute.

He wrote: “Not only did he radiate Star Quality he was always a really nice man to me down through the years.

“They don’t make them like Des anymore. Rest in Peace.”

Eamonn has been keeping a low profile since the Mirror exclusively revealed he and wife Ruth Langsford are to be replaced on This Morning on Fridays.

They being swapped for Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, it has been announced.

Long-serving Eamonn and Ruth have presented Friday’s episode of the daytime show since 2006.

The popular pair are yet to discuss their departure but it is claimed they are angry at how their exit has been handled.

A source said: “Eamonn is pretty furious and everyone feels for him and Ruth, they are well liked on the team, but sometimes tough decisions have to be made.”

In an interview with new! magazine last week, Ruth said “nobody has told me” when she was asked whether the presenting line-up on This Morning was headed for a shake-up.

Ruth also said she wasn’t worried about losing her job as a result of the devastating impact coronvirus has had on the entertainment industry.

She said: “There’s always talk, I don’t know. Not that anybody’s told me.”

Ruth added later in the interview: “I think I am very good at what I do, and as long as they want me I’ll be there.

“I’ve been doing it a very long time and it seems we’ve been very popular.

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