Eamonn Holmes says 'Ruth does all the hard stuff' as he opens up about shared custody

Presenter Eamonn Holmes wrote about his ex Ruth Langsford in an update about their rescue dog Maggie this week. He's given an insight into the arrangements between them after having paid tribute to Maggie over the weekend.

Eamonn, 65, and Ruth, 65, announced last year that they had decided to separate after 14 years of marriage. The former couple, who also have a son together, were later said to be involved in a custody dispute over canine Maggie, whom they had adopted as a family in 2011.

After posting about Maggie yesterday, Eamonn returned to Instagram this afternoon with an update. It included him paying tribute to Ruth, who regularly posts about taking Maggie on walks, and teased over his plans for the future.

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Eamonn told his followers that Maggie will feature in the Times this week. He wrote: "So much interest and Love for Maggie following yesterday's post to the extent that she is going to star in @thetimes on line from tomorrow and this week's Sunday Times."

The former This Morning host, who has experience health issues in recent years, went on to say that his ex does "all the hard stuff" with Maggie. He said: "Ruth does all the hard stuff with her because of my Wheelchair restrictions but working hard to hopefully get better soon and adopt another #Rescue #Dog like we did from @dogstrust all those years ago!"

The presenter added: "Maggie changed my life and she was making me very happy in The Sunshine today. In many ways she reminds me of my dearly departed Mum - a really bad knee and hardly any teeth left but not bad for a 17 year old!"

Eamonn, who is a patron of rescue group K-9 Angels, concluded: "Please try to Adopt and Not Shop if u can. from organisations like @thek9angels and @dogstrust Enjoy the Sunshine but please be aware of your dog in a car and it's little feet on hot pavements. Bye from Maggie and Me."

The journalist, who used Randy Newman's song You've Got A Friend in Me from Toy Story (1995) in the post, had posted about Maggie yesterday. Alongside photos, he said in his previous post: "17 years apart ... and we r both still going - JUST. Maggie and Me #dogstrust #adoptdontshop."

Eamonn and Ruth were said to be having "difficult conversations" about where Maggie would live following their separation. There were even previously reports of a custody dispute over the dog between the former couple.

It was however suggested in May last year that Maggie was likely to end up primarily with Loose Women panelist Ruth. A source told the Sun at the time that Maggie is "like a daughter" to the exes, who were both said to "dote" on her.

The source further told the outlet: "But she's getting on and they know she needs stability. It's a case of who can give her that." They added that the prospect of "giving her up" was "heartbreaking" for GB News presenter Eamonn.

They said that Eamonn "adores" her but teased over the canine ending up with his ex. The source said last year: "But if Ruth is able to get out and about and walk her more, then it may well be that she gets Maggie in the split."

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