Eamonn Holmes has reportedly been forced to resign from his longtime gig on the board of the Manchester United Foundation.
The TV personality, 66, has had a difficult few months. In April he was rushed to hospital after it is understood he was found slumped unconscious at home and rushed to hospital, appearing to have suffered from a stroke.
It appears that, alongside his health troubles, the GB News presenter is also having to navigate a major shift in his professional life as well.
After 19 years as a director at the Manchester United Foundation, the Companies House listing shows he resigned on March 1 this year, although no public statement has been made about his exit.
Explaining the shock move, an insider claimed to the Daily Mail: ‘Standard practice means each member should not exceed nine consecutive years on the board, as they could be deemed “non-independent” and not working objectively.’
Although this is not a hard-and-fast rule and it is possible to ‘remain longer’, Eamonn recently reached 18 years (two recommended terms), with the source saying the current chair of the board implemented a ‘mandatory break’.
The source shared: ‘On this occasion the current chair of the board has used their discretion to implement a mandatory “break” which has resulted in Eamonn stepping aside.
Eamonn has long been a devoted Manchester United fan (watching his first match in 1972) and has previously spoken about his friendship with former Man U manager, Sir Alex Fergurson.
Speaking about his role on the board in 2013, he told The Sun: ‘All these years later, sitting on the charity board at Man Utd, I get access to the boardroom now and the directors’ box.
‘I have my own season tickets but I’m often invited to these big events and get to rub shoulders with all these legends.
”And I pinch myself every night and day that I am at Old Trafford in that capacity! To be able to shake hands with Charlton and speak to Sir Alex Ferguson is amazing.’
Discussing whether he could return to the board one day, the insider concluded: ‘It is ultimately out of Eamonn’s control. While it is believed Eamonn could one day return to the board, it is unclear how long the enforced break is.’
Meanwhile, regarding his health, his son Declan Holmes provided an update on his father’s wellbeing, saying he was ‘doing ok given the circumstances’. Eamonn himself then took to social media to reassure fans.
He shared a photo of his granddaughters with a mispelt, handmade ‘get well soon’ card. In the caption he wrote: ‘‘As my beautiful Granddaughters put it so well – I will do my best to get well SOOM.’
Meanwhile, his girlfriend Katie Alexander – whom the former This Morning presenter started dating after his split from ex-wife Ruth Langsford – also posted her own message.
‘What a week. Prayer, prayer each day,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Eamonn has had ongoing health issues for several years, tracing back to 2012 when he suffered three slipped discs.
Metro has reached out to Manchester United Foundation and Eamonn Holmes’ representative for comment.
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