EAMONN Holmes has said he does not want to see wife Ruth Langsford hurt “physically or mentally” when she takes to the stage for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The This Morning presenter, who hosts the daytime show alongside Ruth, admitted he was missing not having her around as she gets stuck into training before the BBC contest’s launch this weekend.
The Irishman’s comments came as he attended the TV Choice Awards at London’s Dorchester Hotel on Monday night, where Strictly picked up the gong for best talent show.
He said: "I'm nervous and excited for her, but probably mostly nervous, because I have no idea whether she can dance or not, but we're going to find out.
"I just don't want her hurt, physically or mentally, through what's ahead and I just want her to enjoy the ride, that's the main thing.
"I look forward to being by her side in any way that I can; I'll be there ringside if she wants me, and equally if she doesn't want me there, I'll disappear.
Here's where I'm going tonight ....
all on my own. #Strictly widower ? https://t.co/S2z4dfX90m— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) September 4, 2017
"It is tough, it is demanding, I'm missing not seeing her around the place and my job is just to be there for her when she gets home and support her - and when she's not around to sneak out to functions like this."
Ruth said she agreed to participate in this year’s Strictly to come first.
"I'm absolutely going in to this to win it, because why would you not?" she said. "In my diary, all those dates are filled in until I lift the Glitterball trophy.
"There's no point going into this thinking, 'Oh you know I'll probably go out in week three'.
"I don't want to go out, I want to stay, I want to learn all the dances and who knows, I might turn out to be brilliant!"
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday night.
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