Ruth Langsford discusses Alzheimer's fears and life changes post-Eamonn Holmes split

TV host Ruth Langsford has expressed her fear of developing Alzheimer's disease, having witnessed both her parents suffer from the condition. The 64-year-old presenter revealed to Woman and Home that while she doesn't fear ageing itself, she is concerned about the health issues that can accompany it, including Alzheimer's.

She said: "I lost my darling dad, Dennis, to Alzheimer's, and now, sadly, my mum, 93-year-old Joan, has the disease. Every time I forget something, instead of thinking it's a senior moment, I think 'Oh my God. Is this the start of Alzheimer's? ' I don't fear getting older. I embrace my age and I never lie about it. I'm 64 and I'm very happy to be 64.

"I only worry about age in respect to my health. I think old age is wonderful, and I see many very active, interesting and brilliant older people and I hope that will be me."

These comments come after Ruth and Eamonn Holmes announced their separation after 14 years of marriage. Earlier this year, Ruth humorously hinted at GB News presenter Eamonn when she told the audience she was "throwing a lot of stuff out at the minute".

Among the discarded items was Eamonn's stair lift, which reportedly amused Ruth's friends. A source told the Daily Mail: "Ruth doesn't need it," reports the Manchester Evening News.

"She's super-fit and healthy but she knew Eamonn probably would struggle when he had to go the house to get some bits he needed for the holiday. The bedrooms are upstairs and he needed to get to them. It might seem petty but Ruth's friends think it is absolutely hilarious as they think he has really taken her for a ride."

Whilst Ruth may be healthy, her admission of a fear of developing Alzheimer's comes just days after news broke that the NHS would not be funding a new drug capable of slowing down the disease's progress. Despite the treatment – called donanemab - showing promise in holding back the fatal illness, its benefits were judged not worth the expense.

Helen Knight, the Director of medicines evaluation at NICE, commented: "For NICE to be able to approve a medicine for use in the NHS it must provide additional benefits to patients, and it must also represent a good use of NHS resources and taxpayers' money."

"The cost-effectiveness estimate for donanemab is five to six times above what NICE normally considers an acceptable use of NHS resources."

Reacting to the decision, Hilary Evans-Newton, the chief executive at Alzheimer's Research UK, deemed it "another frustrating setback for people affected by Alzheimer's disease".