Eamonn Holmes makes candid health admission in chat with Olympian: ‘Watching BBC Countryfile is huge exercise’
Eamonn Holmes has told Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas he feels unable to “do a lot of things” in a candid admission.
The GB News star says he views watching BBC Countryfile as “huge exercise” after he underwent surgery in 2022 for a slipped disc following years of chronic back pain.
Eamonn also had a double-hip replacement in 2016 and following years of health troubles, he now uses a wheelchair and walking aids.
The GB News star was talking to Douglas about her show’s role in inspiring others to move and whether people like him can be part of that trend.
“I’m in a position where I can’t do a lot of things”, he said.
“I regard watching Countryfile on a Sunday as huge exercise for me. What if you’re in a position where you can’t do anything?”
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Douglas told Eamonn she feels “very sad” about his admission, to which he responded: “It’s true.”
She continued: “I always say try. I’m petrified of heights and people know that but I kept on doing it, the hardest thing is to start.
“It doesn’t matter what it is – as long as you make that first move, you’ll get better.”
Gladiators pits elite athletes against ‘contenders’ in a series of physically challenging events and Douglas thinks it plays a role in inspiring others to become more active.
“We have everyone doing our moves, from two-year-olds up to their 90s”, she said.
“People say they’re inspired to think about their health. Everyone’s journey is different. Mine has been different.
“I think it’s just inspiring people to think they can do it. People can touch on inside themselves and push on to see what they can do.”