EAMONN HOLMES has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for services to broadcasting.
The television host, who has been presenting for almost four decades, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Among those paying tribute to the presenter were his wife Ruth Langsford, who tweeted: “So proud of my husband Eamonn Holmes. All his years of broadcasting rewarded with an OBE!!! Congratulations darling x”
Holmes marked the occasion by posting a collage of pictures charting his broadcasting career, adding that it was nice to be making the news rather than reading it.
Making the news instead of reading it tonight from 10.30 pm. Hope u r Happy for me. #Happynewyear pic.twitter.com/Bu1XT3XRNS
— Eamonn Holmes OBE (@EamonnHolmes) December 29, 2017
Holmes, who grew up in Belfast, studied journalism at the Dublin College of Business Studies.
The 58-year-old first appeared on our screens in 1980 at the age of 19 when he joined UTV in Northern Ireland as a joint sport and farming reporter.
He went on to present ITV’s breakfast magazine programme GMTV for 13 years and spent 11 years as anchor of Sky News’ Sunrise.
He currently co-hosts ITV’s This Morning with his wife Ruth.
Holmes, who was recently named Britain’s best breakfast host of all time, has hosted the annual Irish Post Awards for two decades.
Other stars to be honoured this year include Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, who both received knighthoods, and Hugh Laurie, who was awarded a CBE.
Tributes to Eamonn Holmes
SO proud of my husband @EamonnHolmes All his years of broadcasting rewarded with an OBE!!! Congratulations darling x pic.twitter.com/3VCOLJmCqQ
— Ruth Langsford (@RuthieeL) December 29, 2017
?? Well done Dad @EamonnHolmes #proud https://t.co/u1CvPyU4ER
— Declan Holmes (@decholmes) December 29, 2017
Huge congratulations to my friend of over 30 years @EamonnHolmes .....two vowels and a consonant....well done Top Man ? https://t.co/93yCZFJE4E
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) December 30, 2017
Huge congratulations to Mr @EamonnHolmes on his OBE. Without question well deserved and may I add a gentleman in every sense of the word, who I have had the honour of working with. If you need advice on the day you visit the Palace you know where to come! ? pic.twitter.com/dXvK1rUGpa
— The Royal Butler (@TheRoyalButler) December 30, 2017
I am SO PROUD of @EamonnHolmes you deserve this so much. My tele dad.. Eamonn Holmes OBE ❤️ xx
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) December 29, 2017
