Ruth Langsford, the longtime Loose Women star, has made headlines with a bold move forward in her personal life, confirming a budding romance that has caught even her closest circle off guard. Just months after her high-profile separation from Eamonn Holmes, the 65-year-old presenter was spotted on a cozy dinner date in Surrey with businessman Oliver Wright, a 58-year-old property developer and longtime family friend. The outing, captured by paparazzi on October 31, 2025, marks the first public sighting of Langsford with someone new, sending ripples through tabloids and social media alike.

The couple, dressed in casual chic – Langsford in a sleek black jumpsuit and Wright in a tailored blazer – dined at a low-key Italian spot in Weybridge, laughing over plates of pasta and glasses of red wine. Witnesses described the evening as relaxed and affectionate, with Wright gently placing a hand on Langsford’s arm during conversation. “They looked completely at ease, like old friends catching up but with that spark,” one diner told The Sun. “Ruth seemed lighter, happier than we’ve seen her since the split.” The photos, splashed across front pages the next day, quickly amassed millions of views, with fans flooding comment sections with a mix of support and surprise.

Langsford and Holmes announced their separation in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together, citing the need for “space” amid Holmes’ ongoing health battles and shifting career paths. The former This Morning duo, who shared a son Jack and a rescue dog named Maggie, had long been TV’s golden couple, bantering through breakfast shows and holidays. Their split, however, unfolded publicly: Holmes, 65, was linked to relationship counselor Katie Alexander, 42, by August, debuting the pair at the TRIC Awards in December and whisking her on Mediterranean cruises. Langsford, meanwhile, threw herself into work, hosting Loose Women segments on resilience and even planning a “divorce party” in January 2025 to mark her fresh start.

Insiders close to the family reveal Wright’s involvement isn’t entirely unexpected but still stings for Holmes. “Oliver’s been in Ruth’s orbit for years – he helped with property deals when they were renovating their Surrey home,” a source told Closer magazine. “What started as friendly lunches turned into something more after Ruth confided in him during the tough months post-split. Eamonn’s gutted; he thought Ruth would wait, maybe even reconcile. Seeing her move on so decisively has him questioning everything.” Holmes, who has been open about his chronic back pain requiring wheelchair use and multiple surgeries, declined comment through his GB News representatives but was spotted looking subdued during a recent broadcast.

The timing adds fuel to the fire. Langsford’s date came just weeks after Holmes and Alexander’s high-profile Barcelona getaway, where the couple was photographed arm-in-arm at a seaside café. Social media erupted then, with users noting Langsford’s “puffy-eyed” appearance in a subsequent Loose Women clip – though she later clarified it as allergies. Now, with Wright in the picture, the narrative has flipped. “Ruth’s not one for revenge, but this feels like her reclaiming her story,” the insider added. “She’s prioritizing joy after a year of headlines that weren’t hers to control.”

Public reaction has been a whirlwind. On X, #RuthsNewMan trended for hours, with posts ranging from celebratory to sympathetic. “Ruth deserves this glow-up! Eamonn moved fast – fair play to her,” one fan tweeted, garnering 12,000 likes. Another wrote, “Heartbreaking for their son Jack, but life’s too short. Wishing them both peace.” Loose Women co-stars rallied around her: Coleen Nolan posted a cryptic Instagram story of champagne flutes captioned “To new chapters,” while Janet Street-Porter quipped on air, “Ruth’s always been the class act – time for her happy ending.” Holmes’ supporters, however, expressed frustration, with one GB News viewer commenting, “Eamonn’s been through hell health-wise; this just piles on.”

Langsford addressed the buzz indirectly during a QVC fashion segment on November 2, promoting her autumn collection with a poised smile. “Life throws curves, but you pivot with grace,” she said, fielding a caller’s question on post-breakup dating. “I’m open to whatever comes – friendship, fun, maybe more. But it’s about feeling good in your own skin first.” Off-camera, friends say she’s buzzing with excitement. “That first-date flutter? She’s got it back,” a pal shared with MailOnline. “Oliver’s steady, kind – the opposite of the drama she’s navigated lately. No rush, but it’s promising.”

Wright, a divorced father of two with a low-profile career in commercial real estate, brings stability to the equation. Based in nearby Guildford, he’s known for sponsoring local charities, including animal rescues – a nod to Langsford’s soft spot for their shared dog Maggie, who stayed with her post-split. The pair reportedly bonded over walks in the Surrey Hills, where Wright’s dry humor and shared love of classic cars echoed Holmes’ early charm without the baggage. “It’s organic,” the source noted. “No grand gestures yet, just quality time. Ruth’s guarding her heart, but Oliver makes her laugh – that’s huge.”

For Holmes, the news lands amid personal and professional turbulence. His GB News slot has drawn praise for fiery debates, but ratings dipped slightly after a September on-air moment where he teared up discussing “lost loves.” Alexander, a divorced mother of three, has been a pillar, joining him for physio sessions and family events. Yet, whispers suggest strain: A friend told The Mirror that Holmes feels “sidelined” by Langsford’s swift pivot, especially as their divorce papers – filed in October 2025 – inch toward finalization. Assets like their £3 million home are under negotiation, with Maggie’s custody already a sore point.

Experts weigh in on the emotional fallout. Relationship coach Jesper Jensen, speaking to Belfast Live, advised, “When one partner moves on publicly, it amplifies unresolved feelings. Eamonn might benefit from focusing on his healing – physical and emotional – rather than comparisons.” Dr. Lisa Firestone, a family wellness specialist, added in a CNN segment: “High-profile splits like this highlight the human side of fame. Ruth’s choice models healthy boundaries, showing it’s okay to seek joy post-heartache.”

Langsford’s career, meanwhile, is soaring. Her QVC line sold out in hours after the date photos dropped, and Loose Women bosses are eyeing a solo special on “reinvention after 60.” She’s also teased a memoir excerpt in Woman & Home, reflecting on “regrets and redemptions” without naming names. “Breakdowns are tough, but they build you stronger,” she wrote. “I’m choosing the light.”

As November unfolds, the story evolves. Wright and Langsford have no plans for a red-carpet debut, preferring quiet evenings – perhaps a drive to the coast or Maggie walks at dusk. Holmes, sources say, is channeling energy into recovery, eyeing a memoir of his own on resilience. Their son Jack, 22 and studying engineering, remains the bridge: He’s been spotted at neutral family dinners, prioritizing unity.

In the end, Langsford’s “stunning turn” underscores a timeless truth: Love, post-loss, often arrives unannounced. Fans, wiping away sympathetic tears for Holmes while cheering her stride, remind us that even TV icons navigate the ordinary ache of moving on. For Ruth, it’s not about shock value – it’s about second acts, written on her terms.