Eamonn Holmes announces break from GB News due to back problems

Eamonn Holmes has explained that his current absence from GB News is due to medical advice following a flare up of his ongoing back condition.

The 62-year-old former This Morning host - who has spoken openly about his battle with chronic pain in recent years - joined the news channel as co-host of its new breakfast show in January, but has been absent from screens following hospital treatment.

Holmes said in a statement on social media: "Many of you have been asking why I haven't been presenting GB News for the past week.

"Unfortunately, due to a reoccurrence of a long-term back condition, I've had to undergo some unexpected hospital treatment and am now following doctor's orders by taking a short time off.

Read more: Eamonn Holmes fears ending up in wheelchair if he loses battle against chronic pain

"However I'm looking forward to being back alongside Isabel, my breakfast co-presenter and friend, next week.

"Even though I only joined GB News six months ago the whole team and our amazing audience have shown me immense support which has been greatly appreciated.

"I now just need some time with my family to heal and recuperate."

Holmes has hosted the GB News show Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel alongside Isabel Webster since the start of the year.

He has three slipped discs in his back caused by a dislocated pelvis and has suffered ongoing problems for the past few years as a result, including chronic pain and insomnia.

Holmes - who has been seen using a walking stick in recent months - has regular physiotherapy and steroid injections in a bid to combat the pain.

The former GMTV presenter said his pelvis "mysteriously" dislocated in 2021 and put his back out of alignment as a result.

He said he now “can’t remember what life was like without the pain”.

Holmes underwent a double hip replacement in 2016. The surgery was carried out in a bid to tackle excruciating hip, leg and back pain he had secretly suffered for more than 20 years.

He said last year: "I have no idea why in such a short space of time you go from being healthy to being told your nerves are dead in your leg because of your back and it might take a year before there’s improvement, and you’ve no choice but to do the exercises otherwise you’ll be sitting in a wheelchair."

Holmes struck a chord with many of his one million Twitter followers when he started opening up on social media in the early hours of the morning about his struggle to sleep while suffering from such intense pain.

His move to GB News led to the departure of Simon McCoy.

McCoy tweeted in reaction: "A spokesman for GB News told Express.co.uk: '[Simon] is being replaced by Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster and we’re thrilled about this.' That’s nice."

Read more: Eamonn Holmes says he was given no reason why 'This Morning' dropped him

The former Sky News presenter left his position as the main presenter of the BBC News at One in March to join the new channel GB News for its launch in June.

He hosted an afternoon show alongside Alexandra Phillips titled McCoy & Phillips.

Hours after it was announced Holmes was joining the channel, a spokesperson for GB News announced McCoy was leaving "for personal reasons".

Watch Eamonn Holmes made his GB News debut in January 2022