Ruth Langsford breaks silence after Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary are confirmed as new This Morning hosts

Ruth Langsford and her husband Eamonn Holmes have broken their silence following news that Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will present This Morning on Fridays from January.

ITV confirmed the news on Monday, announcing that Eamonn and Ruth – who have presented This Morning for 14 years – will be demoted to hosting the ITV favourite during holidays.

Sharing a statement after the news was revealed, Ruth wrote: "It’s a changing of the guard on Fridays from January. We hope you make Alison and Dermot as welcome as you’ve made us over the years. 

"Have a Ball you two! It’s not Goodbye from us, it’s simply Au Revoir until the next half term."

Eamonn shared the same message on his social media accounts.

Fans of the TV couple were quick to show their support, with one commenting: "You guys will be missed dearly." Another wrote: "Switching off on Fridays until half term! Love you and Eamonn!" A third added: "That's me switching off now without you two."

Earlier in the day, This Morning confirmed the long-rumoured line-up change with a statement, which read: "We are pleased to announce that Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary are set to join the This Morning family as regular hosts.

"The dynamic duo will share hosting duties with Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Eamonn Holmes OBE and Ruth Langsford from January 2021."

Alison, 45, also released a statement, in which she called her new gig "a huge privilege and honour".

She said: "I never dreamt that when I first joined This Morning - initially for a few months - that I would still be there 19 years later.

"I genuinely care about the show and the viewers who watch, so it’s a huge privilege and honour to be hosting a show I adore so much. I’m just really excited to be doing even more of what I love alongside the lovely Dermot."

Sharing his own statement, co-host Dermot, 47, said: "I'm deeply thrilled and honoured to be joining the This Morning team next year. We have huge shoes to fill and we are well aware what a privilege it is to be stepping into them.

"Above all, we want to have fun and for you to be able to kick your weekend off with a smile, especially given the year we've all had. So I'm delighted to be co-hosting with the living embodiment of sunshine on a rainy day. I can't wait to get started."