Sir Alex Ferguson joined well-wishers sending their luck to This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes as he hosted his final show before his double hip replacement.
Eamonn, 56, admitted he put off the operation for “too many years” and was looking forward to a “new lease of life” as he sat down with wife Ruth Langsford, nurse Tonya Kloppers, dancer Wayne Sleep – who has undergone the same surgery – and his hip surgeon Sarah Muirhead-Allwood.
Here's #AlexFerguson's message for @EamonnHolmes! https://t.co/pxi0Pw5V8o #GoodLuckEamonn pic.twitter.com/VGemB3hLlk
— This Morning (@itvthismorning) January 29, 2016
In a video message, Sir Alex said: “I believe you’re going in for the big op on your hips, I had mine done two and a half years ago and now I’m in great condition.
“I did all my exercises, listened to the doctor and the physios. If you do that, you’ll be back 100%, back on that couch mooching with Ruth. Good luck, talk soon.”
Eamonn hailed the former football manager as the “inspiration” for his replacement as he regaled the guests with a story about watching a sprightly Sir Alex climb over football stadium seating.
.@EamonnHolmes, we're going to miss you! #GoodLuckEamonn pic.twitter.com/ja0BXEAeuG
— This Morning (@itvthismorning) January 29, 2016
He said: “Thank you boss! The most impressive thing about the boss is he was sitting behind me at Old Trafford one day and he came along the row and he literally, after his operation, lifted his leg up, climbed over the seat and sat down. I thought, ‘Well, there’s my inspiration’.”
Celebrities as well as viewers sent in their support via Twitter.
@itvthismorning @EamonnHolmes Wishing you Good luck fella. #GoodluckEamonn
— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) January 29, 2016
Awwww all the best @EamonnHolmes with the operation Friday's won't be the same @itvthismorning 💕
— AISLEYNE (@Aisleyne1) January 29, 2016
Wishing @EamonnHolmes all the very best for his double hip op! Keeping everything crossed for you! @itvthismorning
— Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) January 29, 2016
Good luck @EamonnHolmes @itvthismorning you will be missed get well soon X😘
— Claire Richards (@_ClaireRichards) January 29, 2016
At the beginning of the show, Eamonn told viewers: “It’s more au revoir than goodbye for a little while as I’m going to be rebuilt. They are taking out both of my hips and giving me new ones. I’ve put it off for too long …and for me, I think it’ll be a new lease of life.”
Ruth confessed the surgery was taking its toll.
“I had a cry the other night because I was so worried about you.”
Thsnks for so many good wishes re my impending double hip operation. All gratefully received. Can't say I'm looking forward to it !
— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) January 28, 2016
I know so many of u have gone through Hip surgery or are facing it too.Have put mine off for too many years.Time to do something about it.
— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) January 28, 2016
Afterwards, she thanked the panel on the show for putting to bed her doubts over the operation.
“I feel much better myself listening to both of you,” she admitted to Wayne and surgeon Sarah.
But Eamonn could not help making a joke as he told Ruth of his old hip bones, saying: “It would be nice to have the bone, we could display it.”
He continued: “I can’t wait to get back down to the discos, down to Sugar Hut…I’m going to live the life over again.”
Eamonn is expected to take 10 weeks off This Morning to recover.
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