Eamonn Holmes responds to rumours he and wife Ruth are fearing This Morning axe

Eamonn Holmes has responded to fans concerned that he and wife Ruth Langsford could be axed from This Morning to make way for a younger and more diverse presenting duo.

The couple, who are both 60, have hosted the Friday edition of the ITV daytime show since 2006 and often step in to replace Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during their abscences.

Last night, a source close to This Morning claimed ITV are considering shaking up their current presenting roster – leaving Eamonn and Ruth concerned about their position.

Following the reports, Eamonn has taken to Twitter to respond to fans worried he will be cast aside.

One Eamonn and Ruth fan tweeted: “Executives at @thismorning best not be trying to axe @EamonnHolmes and @RuthieeL to fill their diversity quota. They’re brilliant hosts and nothing about the show needs changing! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! @ITV#ThisMorning#ITV ”

The complimentary post caught Eamonn’s eye and he broke his silence on the matter by sharing a prayer emoji back.

Eamonn then spoke out again when another user said they were glad to hear the husband and wife’s roles could be vulnerable.

“I used to love them, and thought they were brill! Till I found out their snobs.. that look down on the lower class! ” they claimed, in response to a joke made by Eamonn.

“Stop all this TV nonsense. They don’t axe older radio personalities.. Save our @EamonnHolmes & @RuthieeL ” replied another in protest.

Belfast native Eamonn then chimed into the debate: “U r really missing the joke . The joke being we r Council House …. and proud of it . Consistently champion working class people because that’s what we are . Sorry if it was an in joke but the reality is very different.”

While his wife Ruth ignored the furore this morning by sharing a video of her defiantly sashaying through the ITV corridors.

“Sorry….forgot to post yesterday! Friday’s dress on @thismorning is from @lkbennettlondon (I added a belt) Tan, suede court shoes from @asos ” she told her followers on the site.

Fans have been sharing their concern that Eamonn and Ruth’s days on the show could be numbered following reports of major changes coming to ITV.

The Sun claims an internal ITV research group have launched a poll to gauge thoughts on changing up the presenters lists on the long-running daytime TV show.

A source told the publication: “Eamonn and Ruth are incredibly popular with viewers and loved across the board.

“No one wants to see them go. The shows execs have some very tricky decisions. Eamonn fears he is basically too ‘pale, stale and male’, and, at 60, perhaps not in line with the youth drive broadcasters are after.

“One possibility is to keep the couple on as regular holiday cover but lose their regular Friday slot.”

The names Rochelle Humes and Ore Oduba have been bounded around as possible replacements, having both stepped into successfully host the show before.

The Sun claims another source whispered: “Many of our viewers are older or retired, and rely on [Eamonn and Ruth] to provide some cheer of a morning.”

Rumours that This Morning is set to change it’s long-term line-up have been suggested for weeks.

Back in July, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall announced that the network would be working to “change in diversity and inclusion on screen and across ITV by creating more opportunities for those from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and other underrepresented groups.”

While last month, there were allegations that Holly Willoughby was poised to quit the show in pursuit of “prime time dreams” – leaving her hosting seat open for someone to take – after she quit Philip Schofield’s management company to start her own.