Eamonn Holmes left red-faced as Kellie Harrington calls out TV star's 'sexist' quip

TV star Eamonn Holmes was left humiliated after he was publicly called out for wrongly using the term "women's boxing ".

The GB News presenter, 64, was at the helm of the Irish Post Awards on Thursday evening, but Eamonn struggled to find his words as Olympic boxing champion Kellie Harrington publicly called him out. The TV star was at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in the company of his discreet girlfriend Katie Alexander, 42, as he co-hosted the awards show with singer Lisa McHugh.

But just as he was presenting double Olympic boxing champion Kellie with the Irish Post Award for Outstanding Contribution to sport, an awkward silence soon ensued. Kellie climbed up on stage to a standing ovation before she accepted her award, and the pair engaged in a conversation about her discipline, which has been predominantly masculine.

READ MORE: Conor McGregor's barrister puts to woman in sex assault civil action case she was 'enthusiastic participant'

READ MORE: Liam Payne death ruled not to be suicide, Argentina prosecutors say as three arrested

"You better believe it's history, isn't it?", Eamonn first told Kellie, before adding: "And, you know, women's boxing has really come on, hasn't it? I mean, it's much more, it's acceptable." To which Kellie bluntly replied: "It's not women's boxing. It's boxing." A red-faced Eamonn remained silent on stage upon realising his mistake, while Kellie was treated to a round of applause from the audience.

Eamonn Holmes and girlfriend Katie at awards bash
(Image: Daily Mirror)





Eamonn Holmes is called out by Olympian boxer Kellie Harrington at awards bash
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Ahead of the ceremony, Eamonn made his first public appearance with girlfriend Katie as the pair attended the awards show together. The TV host announced his split from Ruth Langsford in May this year and soon moved on with Katie, as they enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise over the summer.

And while they have been pictured together over recent months, this is the first time the GB News host and Katie have been seen attending a showbiz event together as a couple. A source exclusively told the Mirror : "While Eamonn waited for the ceremony to begin, he enjoyed his dinner in the company of his new girlfriend Katie. The pair seemed relaxed and were inseparable."

Katie, 42, cut an elegant appearance in a silky black dress with her hair tied into a stylish updo. But we have been told that while they appeared at the event as a duo, Eamonn requested that photographers not take pictures of them together while at their dinner table. Eamonn had been married to Ruth Langsford for 14 years but in May this year, the former couple announced they had separated and were heading for divorce. The once golden couple of daytime TV had appeared united ahead of the announcement but it has been reported that their relationship was anything but that behind then scenes.

While it has been reported that Eamonn and Katie met on social media, The Sun recently claimed that they had been in contact "12 years ago". A source told The Sun: "We knew Eamonn and Katie got together via social media, but no one knew how far back they went. Ruth will be shocked they were in contact 12 years ago. I don't think she would have known."

They added: "At the outset, George (Katie's ex-husband) joined in with the online banter. He would never have guessed Katie was going to get together with Eamonn years down the line." This claim has remained as speculation as neither Eamonn or Katie have confirmed the duration of their contact.

There is no suggestion the pair had become romantic while still married. This comes after Ruth admitted during an interview that she had never planned for disasters and has no plan B. She explained to Woman & Home magazine if she had a back-up plan for things going wrong, and she said: "I don't have a plan B because I never had a plan A. Ever!"

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.