The television presenter Eamonn Holmes is recovering in hospital after a stroke.

A spokesperson for GB News, where Holmes presents the breakfast show alongside Ellie Costello, said that the Northern Irish broadcaster became ill last week. He is said to be responding well to treatment.

The spokesperson added: “Eamonn has asked for privacy as he focuses on getting better. His colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the people’s channel when he is ready to return.”

Before joining the channel, the 66-year-old TV veteran had hosted ITV’s This Morning, and formed half of a longstanding presenting partnership with his former wife, Ruth Langsford. The pair split in 2024 after 14 years of marriage.

Angelos Frangopoulos, the chief executive of GB News, said: “Eamonn is a loved member of the GB News family, and we’re with him every step of the way as he recovers.”

The channel added that Alex Armstrong, who normally anchors an evening show, would present alongside Costello this week in Holmes’s absence.

Holmes has spoken of his longstanding health problems. He has had spinal surgery and a double hip replacement. He often struggles to walk and sometimes uses a mobility scooter. Last year, he suffered two separate falls, which required medical treatment. One happened live on air after a chair gave way, leaving Holmes lying flat on his back on the studio floor.

Speaking about the on-air incident, Holmes said: “It was a bit of a shock for me because I’ve had a fall in my bathroom two weeks ago, which hospitalised me, and that hit me again right in the back.” He added that he was “really, really sore”.

Holmes told the Sun newspaper in 2022 that his health problems had put his marriage under strain. He suffered a dislocated pelvis in 2021, which later resulted in three slipped discs in his back.

“Even my own family are bored of my moaning,” he said. “It has caused some strain and Ruth is fed up of hearing about it and of me saying I can’t walk the dog or tidy up, but I can’t help it. It’s agony.”

Holmes is now in a relationship with the 44-year-old counsellor, Katie Alexander. Holmes was using a wheelchair when the pair were pictured together at an event last month.