Why Eamonn Holmes’ Girlfriend Katie Alexander Missed the TRIC Awards Amid His Booed Speech

Eamonn Holmes’ girlfriend Katie Alexander was noticeably absent from Tuesday night’s Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) awards in order to ‘protect her mental health’. 

The presenter, 65, was in attendance for the second year in a row at London’s Grosvenor House to accept an accolade on behalf the GB News Breakfast Team. 

But – as Eamonn was wheeled around the venue on his wheelchair – his girlfriend of around a year was nowhere to be seen. 

Katie, who had travelled to London on Tuesday, took to her Instagram on the evening of the show to reveal the reason for her absence. 

Sharing a photo of her sat down in a cabin to her Stories, the 43-year-old wrote: ‘Was going to The Tric Awards, but I’d rather protect my Mental Health and Inner Peace than be subjected to more online hate from people who don’t know me.’

Eamonn Holmes, 65, was in attendance at the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) awards on Tuesday evening on behalf of GB News – but his girlfriend was notably absent

His girlfriend of a year Katie Alexander, 43, was noticeably absent from the event despite being in London on Tuesday

Katie took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she was absent from the TRIC awards to ‘protect her mental health’

She then revealed that Eamonn’s travel show co-host had instead gone in her place, as she concluded: ‘Thank you to @hayleysparkestv for stepping in! You look gorgeous!’ 

The marriage guidance counsellor, who began dating Eamonn in mid-2024, did however congratulate her love on his victory in a later post. 

‘Winner winner, Chicken dinner!’ she penned on her Stories. 

Eamonn and GB News’s triumph was not met with such a good reception at the venue however, as a chorus of boos rang out as the Northern Irishman accepted the accolade.

One angry attendee even heckled Eamonn while he gave his acceptance speech.

A source told MailOnline: ‘After it was announced that GB News Breakfast had won, there were a few boos around the room. Due to his wheelchair, Eamonn needed a ramp to get up on the stage. 

‘He gave a moving speech about the work of colleague Charli Peters, who had earlier won News Presenter for his work on exposing grooming gangs in Britain.

‘It was a nice moment seeing Eamonn pay tribute to a fellow news presenter, but it seemed someone in the audience didn’t agree.  

She then revealed that Eamonn’s travel show co-host Hayley Sparkes had instead gone in her place, as she concluded: ‘Thank you to @hayleysparkestv for stepping in! You look gorgeous!’

She did later congratulate her partner on his triumph, writing: ‘Winner winner, Chicken dinner!’ on her Stories

‘They heckled for Eamonn to “get off,” and it was an awkward end to his speech.’

It was unclear whether the star heard the heckler as he gushed: ‘For the thousands of people who voted, that is brilliant for us so we say thank you, thank you, thank you, to anyone who did bothered to vote.’

It marks the second year in a row Eamonn has accepted the award in the News category at the viewer voted awards show.

Last year he accepted the award aided by his walker as he in inferred that he had been stabbed in the back, telling the audience: ‘So I got two things in my back that I didn’t want,’ seemingly referring to both his operation and his split from Ruth Langsford.

The presenters shocked fans last May as they confirmed the end of their 14-year marriage. 

But despite quickly moving on with his new girlfriend, Eamonn had continued to wear his gold band on his wedding finger. 

Just a couple of weeks ago the presenter was spotted for the first time without the ring on while presenting GB News alongside co-star Ellie Costello.  

While he publicly ditched his jewellery for the on-air appearance, MailOnline understands that Eamonn does occasionally remove his ring off-camera.

The star was also recently seen ring-less while attending the launch party of groundbreaking new luxury raffle company Anchord UK.

TV couple Eamonn and Ruth Langsford shocked fans with their joint statement on May 25 2024 confirming the end of their marriage (pictured in 2017)

Just a couple of weeks ago Eamonn was spotted without his wedding ring for the first time while presenting GB News 

It comes weeks after Ruth finally ditched her wedding ring almost a year after announcing their split [pictured]

It comes weeks after Ruth finally ditched her wedding ring almost a year after announcing their split. 

But since then, Ruth has resolutely kept her wedding and engagement rings on, even once declaring to a fan that she wouldn’t remove them ‘because I am still married.’

On a recent episode of her ITV show Loose Women though, Ruth revealed the rings were off.

Meanwhile, Eamonn’s girlfriend Katie recently addressed a diamond ring on her wedding finger in new post shortly after going ‘Instagram official’ with their romance.

The presenter and marriage guidance counsellor Katie have been dating since mid-2024, with engagement rumours swirling since December.

And taking to her Instagram Stories, Katie posted a glowing selfie in a striped shirt, adding a playful thought bubble that read: ‘Time for a coffee in between clients?’

In the snap, a dazzling diamond ring was clearly visible – prompting questions from fans. But before any rumours could gather steam, Katie quickly shut them down.

She clarified: ‘Before anyone jumps to the #ringgate bandwagon, the camera is reversed so…. RightHandRingFinger!’