EAMONN Holmes has said there is “no way” his wife Ruth Langsford will win Strictly Come Dancing, but he is “so proud” of her for taking part.
The popular talent show returned to the BBC on Saturday night for its fifteenth series, where it was revealed that Ruth’s partner is veteran dancer, Anton du Beke.
But 57-year-old Ruth, who co-presents This Morning alongside her Irish husband, has been given odds of just 66/1 to claim this season’s Glitterball trophy.
Eamonn said that Ruth “absolutely loves” being on the show despite an initial unwillingness to sign up.
"She said to me, 'I've been asked to do Strictly and I can't do it’,” he told the BBC.
"She's got four other jobs and she's a mum, daughter, sister and she's got illness in her family."
But with some encouragement from her husband, Ruth decided to accept.
"What I'm so pleased about for her is that it's a dream for her. I'm just so proud of her. She tells me how hard it is but she also says she loves it.
"Nothing has prepared me for the interest in the show," said Eamonn. "Her odds were 66-1 and they've have shortened to 40-1 now."
Despite her shortening odds, Eamonn does not fancy his wife’s chances, saying: “There’s no way she’s going to win it.”
He added: “With Strictly, it gets serious after week seven, and you really do have to be a very good dancer."
"But it's a great thing that the programme means so much to people. There's a lot of happiness around it".
Eamonn also revealed that people back home in Ireland are already "hugely supportive" of his wife.
"I'm not Eamonn anymore. I'm Eamonn and Ruth.
"I should walk around Belfast with a sign saying 'Ruth's not with me'. The only question I'm ever asked when I'm here is 'Where's Ruth?'
"There's an awful lot of goodwill here. Being in Belfast with Ruth is a very funny experience, as everyone wants to talk to her.
"It amazes me that people think I visit once a year. I have a house here and we are here at least two weekends in a month. When she comes with me and we head off to a shopping centre, people stop and queue to talk to her. No-one is interested in me.
"I may ban her after this," he joked.
He said Ruth was "delighted" when she heard that her dance partner would be Anton du Beke.
"She didn't want anyone who was going to shout at her. She likes Brendan a lot and says he's been very good but if he she had him and shouted at her it would have ended in tears," he said.
"Anton has never won before and he's not going to win this year," he added, laughing.
Eamonn also touched on what Ruth's time on the programme might mean for other women of a similar age.
"She would represent those women very well. I've read interviews with women in their fifties who say they feel they've become invisible.
"Where I'm really proud of her, she is striking a blow for all those woman.”
Eamonn added: "Ruth talks about being menopausal and I always tell her I love her no matter how she looks or feels but she talks about 'thickening out'.
"A lot of women who go through menopause will understand that. But now she's representing a lot of people in a similar position,” he said.
