Rumours of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford sacking greeted by silence – except for show spokesman saying they have ‘stellar line up’

Although Mr Holmes had been active on Twitter over the weekend (offering a tribute to the late Des O’Connor) he said nothing to address the reports that he and co-host Ruth Langsford were to be replaced.

They present the show regularly on Fridays.

The story was broken by The Mirror on Saturday, which claimed the husband-and-wife duo – who been with the show since 2006 – were being “replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary”, who currently also appear as regulars on the show.

A comment from a ‘This Morning’ representative to the News Letter said: “We have a stellar presenting line up on ‘This Morning’ in Holly and Phillip and Eamonn and Ruth. Any additions to this line up will be announced in due course.”

Whilst many detractors on Twitter welcomed their mooted removal, others spoke up strongly in their defence.

Among the media figures hitting out at the news was Dan Wootton, The Sun’s executive editor who has sometimes appeared on the ‘This Morning’ to discuss showbiz.

“What appalling treatment of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford by This Morning and ITV,” he said.

“They’ve been absolute loyal rocks to that show through turmoil – and are beloved behind-the-scenes. Sad to see.”

Also adding his voice was Martin Daubney, a journalist and former Brexiteer MEP, who is now editorial director of Unlocked UK, which describes itself as “a new common-sense media channel for those abandoned by mainstream media”.

He said: “Shoddy treatment. The most genuine broadcasting couple on British TV by a country mile.

“They’ll be back – bigger & better!”

Belfast man Eamonn and Singapore-born British wife Ruth Langsford are both aged 60.

Their mooted replacements Alison Hammond (a black Birmingham-born TV personality)and Dermot O’Leary (a presenter born in Essex to Irish parents) are both younger, aged 45 and 47 respectively.

The Royal TV Society reported in July that ITV would be embarking on a drive “to increase the number of opportunities for minority-ethnic” people.