Ruth Langsford admits she'd leave husband Eamonn Holmes if he came out as transgender
LOOSE WOMEN panellist Ruth Langsford has said she would find it difficult to remain married to her husband and fellow broadcaster Eamonn Holmes if he came out as transgender.
Ruth Langsford discusses transgender issues on Loose Women
The 55-year-old journalist, who has been married to her other half since 2010, made the honest admission on today's edition of Loose Women.
She made the remarks during a segment about the new film The Danish Girl, starring British actor Eddie Redmayne. The movie tells the true story of Lili Elbe, who was the first person in history to undergo gender reassignment surgery after coming out to her wife Gerda Gottlieb.
The panel, which included newcomer Katie Price, Coleen Nolan and Kaye Adams, all explained how they would react if they were in Gerda's position.
Ruth told the others: "If that happened to me, I would think - I love Eamonn - therefore if he said to me… because I love him, I would think well it's a big thing for him to tell me. That would be my first reaction."
Ruth discusses what she would do if Eamonn was transgender on Loose Women
Ruth Langsford made the comments on Loose Women today
Ruth Langsford with husband Eamonn Holmes
She continued: "I would try to listen and be sympathetic. Secondly, I would think I was very surprised that I hadn't picked up any signs at all because I think women are very intuitive and I would be surprised that I hadn't seen it coming.
"I would want to help him. But I’m not sure I could then stay with him as his wife, as a married couple.
Katie also spoke about her experiences: "I can't wait to watch the film because I feel like I've been in a similar situation."
The Loose Women panel discuss transgender issues
katie price talks about Alex Reid on Loose Women
Katie Price makes her debt on Loose Women
I would want to help him. But I’m not sure I could then stay with him as his wife
The former glamour model went on to say: "Obviously one of my husband's liked to dress as a woman - whether he'll end up being a woman, who knows, only he would know that - but I didn't see the signs in the beginning.
"It would only be because his friends would say: ‘have you met such and such a person?’ And I'd be like: 'Are you joking?"
Katie was referring to second husband Alex Reid, who only last year came out as trans telling Star magazine: “We don’t have the same rights. Wow, I just said ‘we’. I guess I am. Why not be trans?”
Can @loosewomen please stop talking about transgender people/issues when they have 0 knowledge about it&think "it's a trend like self-harm"
— Mich (@PotatoForeman) January 5, 2016
@PotatoForeman @loosewomen to understand. Say something when you are a trans person or a parent of a trans person. God ������
— Sierra ✨ (@pentatomitch) January 5, 2016
Take cover ladies #loosewomen are doing Trans issues again. Not usually good or helpful.
— Farrah Herbert (@herbert_farrah) January 5, 2016
@loosewomen hi I have beeb married 28 yrs this year my husband is in transition it's not been easy but I am now a trans ally
— fiona Bosanquet (@fionabos21) January 5, 2016
@loosewomen Its one thing to have the discussion they did, it would have been better to get a trans woman on to speak about their experience
— Jenna Lloyd (@jennalloyd27) January 5, 2016
He went on to say later on in the interview: “I’ve never truly identified with trans people, but I have lots of characters.
“I believe we’re all souls. I could have been a woman. When the lights are off, we’re all souls,” he added.
The Loose Women discussion on being transgender has faced criticism from viewers tuning into watch the programme.
Mich posted on Twitter: "Can @loosewomen please stop talking about transgender people/issues when they have 0 knowledge about it & think 'it's a trend like self-harm.'"
Farrah Herbert wrote on the social media site: "Take cover ladies #loosewomen are doing Trans issues again. Not usually good or helpful."
"Was that it? 3 minutes of Pricey talking about Alex, and that's trans issues done! #LooseWomen #Fail," one user called JE said.
Jenna Lloyd tweeted: "@loosewomen Its one thing to have the discussion they did, it would have been better to get a trans woman on to speak about their experience."