ITV presenter Ruth Langsford has jetted off to Australia to take part in an I’m A Celebrity spin-off show after friends admitted she has had a “tough year”.

The Loose Women host is heading down under to take part in the reality show’s spin-off – Unpacked – which will air on ITV2.

According to friends speaking to The Sun, Langsford heading off to Australia is both to support her Loose Women co-star Jane Moore – who will be heading into the jungle – and also to get some downtime after what they called a “tough year” for her.

Belfast presenter Eamonn Holmes and Langsford announced in May that they had broken up after 14 years of marriage and that they are “in the process of divorcing”.

Since the news emerged, Holmes has since been seen in public with new girlfriend Katie Alexander (43), having moved out of the £3.5m Surrey home he shared with Langsford.

Speaking to The Sun, an insider said: “It’s been a tough year for Ruth and she’s been putting her best foot forward, she’s thrilled to have been asked to appear on this the spin off show and fly to Australia ahead of Christmas.

“She’s rooting for Jane and can’t wait to give her opinion on how she is getting on.

“The production team are particularly excited they have landed Ruth to join them as they think she’ll be amazing and give the new format a boost.”

Eamonn too has admitted he has had a “tough year” following the split and his ongoing health struggles.

Speaking to The Sun at the Irish Post Awards earlier this month, the GB News Breakfast host said: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it.

“But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.”

However he told the Sunday Life he was proud to represent his home country at the bash, where he appeared alongside Ms Alexander.

He said: “I’ve never forgotten where I came from. It’s great to represent Northern Ireland at these awards. I’ve loved being back in Belfast recently and spending time with my family, particularly my grandkids, Emelia, three and Isabella, who has her first birthday next week.”

Eamonn took his girlfriend on a romantic cruise last month and has also previously brought her back to Belfast to show her the sights of the city.

Holmes and co-host Isabel Webster have hosted the Breakfast programme on GB News since Eamonn was axed from ITV’s This Morning alongside his former wife Langford in 2020.

The pair have one son Jack, born in 2002. Holmes also has three other children from his previous marriage.

The I’m A Celebrity sister show which Langsford is set to appear on will be hosted by jungle star Joel Dommett alongside Capital radio DJ Kemi Rodgers and reigning king of the jungle Sam Thompson.

The trio will dissect the daily happenings in the camp and welcome on a variety of guests to give their opinion on the behind the scenes gossip.