Cover story
The Loose Women host opens up about the ups and downs of marriage, family life and why she is embracing her 60s
It’s a glorious morning when Ruth Langsford sweeps into our gorgeous West London location house, clutching a tray of coffees for the team. Always punctual (her late dad Dennis spent 28 years in the Army, so timekeeping is her thing) and easy-going, sharing company with the TV presenter is akin to time spent with a close pal.
For Ruth, relatability rules. Whenever she speaks on the television or to her million-strong Insta fans, it’s from the heart. She’s opened up about marital niggles with her TV host husband Eamonn Holmes, 62, the trials and tribulations of mothering their son Jack, 20, and she turned to social media to reveal that her glossy locks are, in fact, not all hers.
‘It’s all extensions and highlights! People say I’ve got lovely hair. I don’t, but it doesn’t bother me that people know there’s nothing natural about it,’ she explains, relaxing pre-shoot on the sofa wearing a pair of jeans, a pink T-shirt and white laceless trainers. And they’re all from her QVC fashion range, no less.
‘I’ve not just worn this because I’m coming to see you,’ adds Ruth, swiftly, nodding to why we’re meeting – to celebrate her latest fashion drop and her fifth anniversary with the multi-brand retailer.
Ruth’s wardrobe at home in Surrey is overflowing with her own designs, which she created for women in midlife after years of frustrated shopping on the high street.
Now a bona-fide style icon, when she steps in front of the camera in a scarlet figure-hugging pencil dress, there is no denying that she looks absolutely amazing.
‘All my own work!’ quips Ruth, skimming her curves with her palms. Considerate, sensitive, scintillating and super fun, Ruth is definitely one of a kind.
It’s easy to become less adventurous with fashion when you get older. That’s not because we’re not adventurous but because when you’re 60, flattering clothes are hard to find. I can be reduced to tears trying to buy jeans. You’re in a small dressing room with a hideous mirror, hot and sweaty and nothing fits. The 50+ age group of women gets forgotten about, so it’s great that I’m now injecting colour and flattering styles into clothing that women want to wear.
Now I’m designing clothing, it’s a dream come true… but it was never my dream. I didn’t see the opportunity coming, but when it presented itself, I’m so glad I took it. I was rubbish at school and left with four O levels, including needlework. I loved sewing and when I was 18, my mum bought me a sewing machine, so I used to make my own clothes and curtains for my first flat. Maybe somewhere that dream was always lurking.
I find walking t
