This Morning duo Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford have spoken of their joy at being reunited with their elderly mums after lockdown.
The husband and wife team are back on the ITV Daytime sofa as they replace Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Monday for the next seven weeks.
They told how they had an extra spring in their step ahead of the holiday presenting stint after finally being able to spend time with their mothers.
Ruth’s mum Joan, 88, lives in a care home and had been unable to visit her house because of Covid restrictions. The star was previously pictured only saying hello to her through a window.
She says: “The first time she was back in my kitchen having a sherry and dance peeling veg was the best thing ever.
“Both of our mums are elderly now and these are their twilight years and you want to make them as special as you can and see them as much as you can.”
The host previously revealed how she was racked with guilt if she did not ring her mum in her care home twice a day.
Ruth added: “I think it’s made us all realise the importance of loved ones and family when you couldn’t see them.”
The presenter, 61, also told how Joan was becoming an Instagram star. She said: “My mum gets more of a response when I post her than anything else.”
Eamonn’s mum Josie is 92 and he lost his father Leonard, 65, following a heart attack 30 years ago.
The host, 61, said seeing his frail mum again had been “essential” and hit out at restrictions on mourners for funerals.
He added: “I think a lot of people felt that frustration. So to meet up with loved ones is everything.”
Eamonn and Ruth recently celebrated being together for 25 years, 11 of those as a married couple.
Ruth said: “Not many people work with their partner as well – so I think a lot of respect comes into it.”
Eamonn added: “There’s a huge amount of tolerance and a good dollop of humour that keeps you going.”
They will be hosting This Morning from today and across the summer from 10am on ITV and ITV Hub
