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Eamonn Holmes has reportedly turned down a huge six-figure offer to star in Celebrity Big Brother 2025.
It's been said that the GB News host, 65, was deemed the 'perfect housemate', with producers keen to get him in the famous house especially amid his divorce from Ruth Langsford, 64.
It was previously reported that Eamonn, who has embarked on a new romance with Katie Alexander, 43, is said to be at the top of ITV's wish list for next year's series with bosses tempting him with a £250,000 fee.
However, while the star is said to be 'flattered' by the offer, he has ultimately rejected it as he allegedly feared being away from his girlfriend, who is 22 years his junior.
Eamonn, who suffers with mobility issues due to a long-term back injury, also worried about the possible lack of support he'd receive due to his specific needs.
A source told The Mirror: 'Eamonn was approached to do Celebrity Big Brother. He was flattered by the offer and it was a huge six-figure sum. After giving it some serious thought, he ultimately turned it down. The logistics of navigating the house and needing a wheelchair really concerned him and he didn't feel confident that the support he'd need would be there.'
Eamonn Holmes has reportedly turned down a huge six-figure offer to star in Celebrity Big Brother 2025
While the star is said to be 'flattered' by the offer, he has ultimately rejected it as he allegedly feared being away from his girlfriend Katie Alexander, who is 22 years his junior
The insider went on to explain Eamonn's concerns about not being in contact with his partner, with whom he recently sparked engagement rumours, and has been a 'huge support' following his split from Ruth.
They said: 'Eamonn also values his time at home with his partner Katie, and being locked away from her for such a long period wasn’t something he could come to terms with.'
They continued: 'The producers were really keen to have Eamonn on the show, they saw him as a huge draw for viewers and were willing to pull out all the stops. With his controversial opinions he would made the perfect housemate.
'But Eamonn knows his limits, and the idea of being in such an unpredictable environment, without Katie and the support he relies on, made it a no-go.'
The publication reports that it was a 'tough decision' for the broadcaster as the offer was 'incredibly tempting', but in the end he had to put his health and mobility first.
After surgery on his back in 2022 for a slipped disc, Eamonn has not been able to walk unaided and often relies on a wheelchair or an electric mobility scooter.
The source added it didn't feel 'realistic' for Eamonn to enter the Big Brother house, what with 'all the challenge' of trying to manoeuvre a wheelchair, with the star struggling to see how it would be practical.
MailOnline have contacted representatives of Eamonn and ITV for comment.
Eamonn, who suffers with mobility issues due to a long-term back injury, also worried about the possible lack of support he'd receive due to his specific needs
Eamonn recently sparked speculation that he is engaged to Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris last week.
'Eamonn has been talking openly about his plans to marry Katie and has made it clear he wants to spend the rest of his life with her,' a source told The Sun.
'They’re already living together and he knows it feels right. They have a very strong connection and get on very well. She has given him a real lust for life and she looks after him.'
In pictures obtained by the publication, the couple headed to the Louvre, with Alexander wearing a gold diamond ring on her engagement finger.
The counsellor was not pictured wearing the band at a Christmas carol concert in West London on December 5.
It comes amid reports Eamonn and Ruth are still only communicating through their lawyers, despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week.
The Loose Women star appeared to accept ex husband Eamonn's peace offering and returned the like on a post of he and a his co-host Isabel Webster as they wrapped up their final show of the year.
It comes after Eamonn issued a public display of support for ex-wife Ruth, 64, as she paid an emotional visit to her unwell mother Joan in hospital earlier this week.
It comes amid reports Eamonn and Ruth are still only communicating through their lawyers , despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week
In his first notable contact with Ruth since their separation, the GB News presenter liked her post.
But MailOnline understands that the estranged couple's relationship hasn't thawed despite the cryptic move on Instagram.
Ruth's ill-stricken mother Joan has always played an important part in Eamonn's life, so it was important to him to like her post.
MailOnline have contacted Ruth and Eamonn's representatives for a comment.
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