She describes herself as ‘too glam to give a damn’, loves to dance in the kitchen and is the kind of fun-loving mother who slides down the stairs on a mattress.
At first glance, relationship counsellor Katie Alexander, 43, might not seem the most likely match for TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, 64, and not least because of the 21 year age gap.
The former Good Morning Britain star split from his wife Ruth Langsford in May, with friends suggesting at the time that the Loose Women panellist felt ‘more his carer than a wife’ as the Belfast-born star became ‘more and more grumpy’.
Eamonn has been struggling with back problems after suffering slipped discs and a fall at home in 2022, and is relying on walking aids and a wheelchair while trying to regain his mobility.
There’s no doubt a divorce and health issues would create a challenging situation for any new couple, but mother-of-three Katie is said to be ‘smitten’ with the TV star, who she’s currently enjoying a European cruise holiday with.
The key to unpacking the couple’s relationship may lie in Katie’s penchant for an older partner: the father of her elder son was nearly 40 years her senior, while her ex-husband was 10 years older.
Eamonn Holmes was pictured with new girlfriend Katie Alexander in Barcelona on Sunday
It’s understood that Alexander is ‘smitten’ with the charismatic former Good Morning Britain star, who announced his separation from wife of 14-years Ruth Langsford in May
As previously revealed by MailOnline, Katie was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell for coach driver Michael Devine, then 59. Despite the age gap, the couple spent five years together and have a son named Ben, 22, who is a keen footballer.
Now aged 81, Devine fondly remembers their time together and said it was ‘brilliant’ that she has found love with GB news presenter, Holmes.
Striking blonde Alexander has often been seen with Holmes and sparked engagement rumours when she was seen earlier this week sporting a diamond ring on her engagement finger. She later confessed it was costume jewellery.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Devine said his son told him the couple were an item.
He said: ‘Ben told me Eamonn and Katie were together, but he doesn’t say much, he’s more interested in kicking a football around.’
Devine, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, added that he has a close relationship with his son and sees him at least once a week.
Alexander was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell for 59-year-old Michael Devine, now 81 (pictured). The couple spent five years together and have a son called Ben, 22
Even though he and Katie parted ways more than two decades ago he remains on good terms with her.
‘We’ve been split up for a lot of years now, but I see my son regularly, maybe once a week, he said.
‘I do see Katie now and again, but she is down in London. There are no hard feelings whatsoever towards Katie, she’s a nice woman, she really is.
‘I wish her well. Absolutely brilliant, is Katie.’
Devine said his work as a coach driver meant he spent long periods away from home which put a strain on the relationship.
He took the blame for the break up adding: ‘It was me working away that caused the break up. I was freelance and transporting people and that was that.’
Their son was born at Dewsbury District Hospital on August 10th and took the surname of both parents with his last name listed as Robshaw-Devine.
Social media posts by her son give a revealing glimpse of Katie’s fun-loving personality.
‘I do see Katie now and again, but she is down in London. There are no hard feelings whatsoever towards Katie, she’s a nice woman, she really is,’ he told MailOnline
Alexander works as a relationship counsellor and her website says that she takes ‘a holistic approach to counselling’.
One snap, which he shared in 2013, shows his mother toboganning down the stairs at home on a mattress.
‘Sometimes wonder who the child is in our house,’ he wrote. ‘My mum sliding down the stairs on a mattress!’
Elswhere, playful snaps show her poking her tongue out in snaps with her son.
After her relationship with his father broke down, she met and married bar owner George Alexander and welcomed two children – a son and a daughter.
It appears she was involved in the family business and was listed as a director of the pizza cafe previously run by her ex-husband.
Meanwhile, Eamonn is now entering his grandfather era. His son Declan has two young girls with his wife Jenny.
Should things work out with Katie, Eamonn will be a stepfather to a 13-year-old boy – the youngest of her three children.
However, Katie’s training as a counsellor means she’s also well equipped to tackle a relationship with a few challenges thrown in.
She offers in-person, telephone and online therapy services, at a price of £45 for a 50-minute session, operating out of the wellness centre Easthorpe Hall in Mirfield.
‘I work with person-centred modality and take a holistic approach to counselling, focusing on you, the client. This means that you have the voice and the space to express yourself fully without judgment,’ she said.
‘My belief is that you, the client, are capable of, and hold the power of achieving what it is that you want out of life. It is my job to try and help you make sense of what can sometimes be difficult to do alone.’
According to her Instagram bio, she’s also a ‘kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn’
In her spare time she also has a passion for photography and has her own account dedicated to her work
One anonymous review also praises Alexander’s services, saying: ‘Katie made me feel so comfortable throughout the sessions, speaking to her with no judgement and her allowing me to look at certain things in a completely different light.
‘My confidence has grown massively and I would highly recommend Katie especially for anyone feeling unsure if therapy is right for them.’
However, she also has a fun side, with her personal Instagram bio claiming: ‘Kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn.’
Elsewhere she has an Instagram account dedicated to her love of photography. The bio reads: ‘Just a photography loving Yorkshire girl taking some pictures!’
The pair reportedly met several years ago but have struck up a close friendship over the past couple of years.
They originally got in contact via Twitter after both being involved with a mental health charity.
Alexander commented on a post and it sparked a conversation between the pair.
Most recently, Katie has been seen visiting Holmes at his rented apartment in South West London, after he moved out of his home with Ruth in Surrey, from her home in Yorkshire.
Friends have told MailOnline that she and Holmes are so close she’s ‘in love’ with him.
She apparently grew close to the star after a ‘string of outings’ together, and has reportedly said she is ‘in it for the long haul.’
A source previously told The Mirror: ‘She is helping Eamonn through the tough times but doesn’t want to be seen as a marriage wrecker.
‘The friendship has grown in recent months but Eamonn’s marriage has been over for some time.’
The publication claims Holmes has taken her on a safari park trip, to a Manchester United game, a Beyoncé concert and has spoiled her with gifts.
He has also endorsed a charity linked to her work and helped to host a fund-raising event free of charge.
Friends explained that the woman’s counselling skills include coping with ‘feeling sad’ and ‘separation and divorce’ therefore it seems fitting she will be supporting Holmes at this time of uncertainty.
While his friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Ruth was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work
Holmes and Langsford tied the knot in 2010 after 13 years together, in a lavish ceremony at the grand 19th century Hampshire hotel, The Elvetham
While his friendship with Alexander is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Langsford was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work.
A source told The Sun: ‘Ruth was obviously aware that her marriage was crumbling, but as details emerge, her upset has turned to anger.
‘Eamonn’s friend is bowled over by being lavished with attention and kindness from him.’
One pal then told The Mirror: ‘Ruth was hurt when she learned about Eamonn’s friendship with another woman but she is strong and she will be back soon with a smile on her face, putting her best foot forward, as she always does.
‘She needs a bit of time to regroup after everything that’s gone on, which is understandable, but she plans to return to Loose Women, with renewed vigour, in July.’
The friend also insisted that there was ‘no chance whatsoever’ that the pair would ever get back together.
