Northern Irish broadcaster Eamonn Holmes has once again stirred the pot with candid remarks about the entertainment industry, describing some of his former television co-stars as "horrible" and branding many as "false, false, false." These remarks came during the latest episode of his podcast, Things We Like, which aired on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and featured a revealing conversation with Hollywood actor Ray Winstone.
Holmes, known for his 15-year tenure as a presenter on This Morning until 2021, did not hold back as he reflected on the insincerity he perceives within showbiz circles. Joined by co-host Paul Coyte and Winstone, the discussion quickly turned to the often fake and superficial nature of relationships in the entertainment world.
Ray Winstone, famed for his role in The Departed, shared his experience living in Los Angeles, painting a picture of Hollywood as a place where everyone seems to be part of the industry, whether they’re filling up your car with petrol or chatting casually. "Even the bloke who fills up your car works in the industry. It's like every two minutes, it's all they want to chat about," Winstone said. "We talk about birds and football and boxing, you know, they talk about films. Hollywood and Los Angeles are wonderful places when you're doing alright, but when you're not."
This observation sparked Holmes to launch into a frank rant about the culture of forced niceties and hypocrisy that pervades the entertainment sector. Mimicking the typical backbiting and gossip he’s witnessed, Holmes said, "'I don't like this character, I don't like so and so, I like that person, I didn't get on with them.' That's what the business is based on." He drew a parallel between himself and Winstone, admitting, "I'm like you. I get myself into trouble because if I don't like someone, they'll know I don't like them."
Holmes lamented the prevalence of disingenuous behavior, adding, "And there are so many horrible people that you end up with. People say: 'Oh, he's lovely, he's fantastic.'" He was quick to distinguish Winstone as an exception, stating, "If they say to me: 'What's that Ray Winstone like?' I'll say he is lovely and he is fantastic and people will believe me because I wouldn't say it if you weren't. But so many are just false, false, false."
The podcast also touched on the challenges faced by younger stars navigating the industry's expectations. Winstone expressed sympathy for those still finding their footing, noting, "They're asked questions on telly and they're not quite sure how to answer... I've seen people on shows say, 'Everyone's lovely, everyone's wonderful.' No, they're not!"
Holmes’s bluntness extends beyond general industry commentary. In October 2024, he was outspoken about former This Morning colleague Phillip Schofield, who left ITV amid controversy over his relationship with a younger male colleague. Holmes described Schofield as "absolutely addicted to fame" and said he "deserves to be in exile" from television, highlighting the presenter's fall from grace.
Rumors have long swirled about tensions between Holmes and Anthea Turner, his co-host on GMTV during the 1990s. However, recent statements from both parties suggest that any past disagreements have since been resolved, indicating a possible reconciliation.
Holmes’s refusal to conform to the typical showbiz game of feigned friendship and politeness has often landed him in hot water. "That's what the business is based on," he remarked. "If I don't like someone, they'll know I don't like them. And there are so many horrible people you end up with." This honesty, while refreshing to some, has also made him a controversial figure in media circles.
The conversation with Winstone also highlighted Hollywood’s insular nature. "Even the guy who puts petrol in your car works in the industry," Winstone joked, underscoring how deeply entrenched the entertainment world is in Los Angeles. This saturation, combined with constant industry chatter, contributed to Winstone’s decision to return to the UK after his time in LA.
Both men agreed that the showbiz bubble can be a challenging environment, especially for those who resist playing along with its often superficial rules. Holmes’s remarks underscore a broader skepticism about celebrity culture and the authenticity of relationships within it.
As a seasoned presenter and media personality, Eamonn Holmes’s insights offer a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the entertainment industry, exposing its sometimes toxic underbelly. His blunt assessment of former co-stars and the culture of fakery in showbiz adds to ongoing conversations about authenticity and integrity in the public eye.
Whether Holmes’s forthrightness will encourage more openness or simply deepen divisions within the industry remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that his voice continues to provoke thought and stir debate among fans, colleagues, and critics alike.
