Their concern appeared effusive, heartfelt even. Just minutes after it was announced that veteran TV presenter Eamonn Holmes had suffered a stroke, his onscreen co-stars at GB News flooded social media with get well wishes.

You might imagine being lavished with love from those who grace the small screen with him – along with many messages from his devoted fanbase – would have raised Eamonn’s spirits this week.

Just four days prior to a public announcement about the state of his health, he had been admitted to hospital after his shock stroke. But read the online comments a little closer and a more complex picture emerges.

Several sceptical observers went so far as to say that the get well wishes from Eamonn’s colleagues were nothing short of disingenuous. This accords with what several sources at the channel have told me: that Eamonn’s colleagues are ‘gunning’ for his job.

Others have also told me of the discontent behind the scenes due to his recent erratic onscreen appearances. I’m also told Eamonn’s reluctance to take time off work – even as his health noticeably deteriorated – can be put down to the fact he was concerned that ‘snakes’ at the network were hoping his personal struggles might allow them to snatch his job.

Among the ‘well wishers’ who apparently have their eye on Eamonn’s plum breakfast-time role is his fellow morning regular Stephen Dixon, formerly of Sky News. He often hosts the show with Eamonn’s co-star Ellie Costello on days when the daytime television veteran is not on air.

Ellie, too, is said to be unhappy – and has told colleagues she believes she has to ‘prop up’ Eamonn, who has been accused of meandering off topic during interviews.

Stephen and Ellie are said to be very close. Both are rumoured to share the view that Eamonn – who has recently fallen asleep while on camera and has also fallen off his chair – may be past his prime.

Regardless of these feelings, this week there was a clear three-line whip from GB News bosses for all presenters to wish him a speedy recovery, either on air or via their social media platforms.

Ellie, 31, posted a photograph of herself and Eamonn clutching an award they won together last year and wrote: ‘Thinking of you Eamonn Holmes and wishing you a speedy recovery.’

Stephen, 52, wrote on X: ‘So sorry to hear Eamonn is unwell. Wishing him a speedy recovery.’

But these apparent ‘manoeuvres’ did not go unnoticed by viewers commenting online. One said, in a message aimed at Dixon: ‘I guess you’ve already got your name in the hat for his job.’ Another posted: ‘You were only laughing about him last week, we see you.’

One GB News source tells me: ‘Anyone close to the situation knows exactly what everyone really thinks, not least Eamonn.

‘At GB News the top brass still believe he’s one of their star names and a big asset so there’s pressure to toe the line, but a lot of the messages of support were less than convincing.’

News of Eamonn’s latest health struggles was announced last Saturday by his publicist, who also works for GB News. In a statement, the network said: ‘His colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery.’

It later emerged that the father-of-four was found out cold at his penthouse flat in Kingston, Surrey, where he currently resides while his tricky divorce from his wife, Loose Women presenter Ruth Langsford, is resolved. She, meanwhile, has remained in the family home in Weybridge, Surrey, some four miles away.

Some might say it was revealing that Eamonn was found by a carer, not girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43. She is said to split her time between her Yorkshire home, where she works as a relationship therapist, and Eamonn’s home.

Ruth, say friends, has not been directly in touch with her ex, but has been kept up to date by their son Jack, 23, and sent indirect messages of support.

While those close to him are praying Eamonn makes a full recovery there’s little doubt of the potential for strokes to have serious long-term health implications.

It’s a sad portrait of Eamonn’s life as he heads towards divorce: apparently disloyal colleagues, poor health and a partner who is not always on the scene.

Friends have pointed out that this latest bout of ill health is yet another indicator that splitting from the devoted Ruth – who was with him for 27 years, and married to him for 14 – has been Eamonn’s biggest mistake.

‘Katie wasn’t there but Ruth always was,’ says a source familiar with the couple. ‘She nursed him through so many difficult times. But when Eamonn really needed Katie, her schedule meant that she wasn’t there.’

Indeed, if anyone needs a more present partner, surely it’s Eamonn.

The former This Morning star has battled a series of ailments in recent years including agonising back problems and spinal surgery, a hip replacement and a fall which left him with a fractured shoulder.

Regardless, he has continued to work as regularly as possible. Those close to the family have now revealed that he was repeatedly urged to take an extended break in recent months. Yet he ignored friends’ advice and was determined to get back on screen.

An insider revealed: ‘Eamonn has always been a total professional, that’s why he’s managed so many years in the business, but in recent years he has been urged to slow down. Even though he has taken a few short breaks when he’s had to, he always races straight back to work, whatever anyone around him says. It’s partly because he still has that totally professional mindset but also because he’s very aware that the sharks are circling behind his back and several of his envious colleagues would love to see him step away for good.

‘It’s a ruthless world, and the stress of that on top of his health problems and his ongoing divorce can’t have helped.’

Eamonn had been due to be onscreen on Monday but instead has been this week replaced by another stand-in, Alex Armstrong.

Eamonn remains Britain’s longest serving breakfast television host, having first appeared on GMTV in 1993 and then holding regular slots on Sky News and This Morning before joining GB News.

Eamonn has also been facing mounting financial problems due to a substantial outstanding tax bill following an HMRC probe into his arrangements – which landed him with a bill of more than £1million, forcing him to sell two properties. It’s understood he still owes a six-figure sum.

And his money struggles coincided with his divorce, which was announced in 2024. Two years on, Eamonn and Ruth’s acrimonious separation is yet to be settled as they struggle to iron out complicated disagreements over their assets and the terms of their split.

This has also triggered broader disputes among their family, with their shared son Jack understood to have sided with his mother. Even Eamonn’s three children from his previous marriage are said to have taken Ruth’s side.

Their bitter divorce battle has also been exacerbated by Ruth’s recent autobiography, which pointed the finger firmly at Eamonn over their break-up, accusing him of ‘deceit and lies’, and messages with other women.

Regardless, this week, Eamonn’s eldest son, Declan, confirmed his children have rallied around their father in the wake of his stroke and put many of their disagreements aside – releasing a statement in which he said the star is ‘doing OK’ in hospital.

Now, though, say associates of Eamonn’s, this week might be the moment he realises being married to Ruth wasn’t so bad after all.