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Eamonn Holmes was reportedly axed from This Morning because his popularity on the ITV daytime show took a tumble.
The GB News presenter, 62, has claimed the broadcaster had not wanted to announce his exit from the programme due its effects on viewing figures so made it look like it was his decision to leave.
It was announced in November last year that Eamonn was leaving ITV after hosting This Morning for 15 years alongside his wife Ruth Langsford.
However, the Irish star has revealed about the real reasons for his departure had not been clearly explained.
He told D aily Mail' s Weekend magazine: "No one explained anything to me
"I’m all for TV companies being able to choose who works for them, but it would be nice if you were told why you were going.
“They’re sly. They didn’t want to announce that I’d been dropped because it would adversely affect audience figures, so they made it look as if I’d walked away from them rather than the other way round."
However, it has now been alleged that executive bosses carried out research which found that the 62-year-old presenter's popularity had taken a knock.
The findings reportedly led to Eamonn and Ruth being replaced on This Morning on Fridays by Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond.
A source told Mail on Sunday: "ITV is always looking at what the viewers want, what the people watching the show want.
"Put it this way, they wanted change, the viewers didn’t want to watch him anymore. Things have to change; they evolve and for him to say there was no explanation isn’t true.
"Maybe Eamonn just didn’t like the reasons given."
However, Eamonn's agent has since told The Mirror: "I don’t believe a 'source' said anything that was official as ITV have always behaved with great respect to InterTalent.
"However, it is simply not true that research showed that viewers no longer wanted to watch Eamonn Holmes.
"Research has actually showed Eamonn rated better than others who replaced him on This Morning.
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"The facts are simple. Eamonn is one of the most loved broadcasters in UK. His GB News show now often beats his Sky News rival and the BBC have recommissioned his show ‘Farm to Feast'."
Following news of Eamonn’s departure from ITV, the channel said at the time: "We would like to wish Eamonn all of the very best in his new role.
"As a duo, Eamonn and Ruth have been part of the This Morning presenting team for the last 15 years and we thank Eamonn for all of his hard work and contribution to the show."
Ruth continues to work with ITV as a host on Loose Women and a member of the This Morning team.
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- Eamonn Holmes
- ITV
- This Morning
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