Eamonn Holmes departed Wembley Stadium in his wheelchair after his beloved Manchester United defeated Newcastle in the League Cup final on Sunday.
The presenter, 63, who is battling chronic back pain, was pushed by his devoted son Declan, 34, and appeared in high spirits despite his recent health woes.
He cut a casual figure in a navy sports jacket which he layered over dark trousers, completing the look with comfy trainers.
The former This Morning host, who has also undergone back surgery for help relieve the symptoms, wore his silver locks in a relaxed style and carried a crutch in his right hand.
Beaming Eamonn gave a wave to fans as he entered the venue and even stopped to chat with a star-stuck security guard.
Health woes: Eamonn Holmes departed Wembley Stadium in his wheelchair after his beloved Manchester United defeated Newcastle in the League Cup final on Sunday
As well as Declan, Eamonn shares Rebecca, 31, and Niall, 29, with his ex-wife Gabrielle.
He split from Gabrielle, after ten years of marriage in 1996, as the pressure of commuting to London to present GMTV from their home in Belfast took its toll.
Eamonn married co-host and wife Ruth in 2010, they share son Jack, 20.
It comes after Eamonn reunited with pal and former S Club & star Jo O’Meara for lunch, after she recommended a surgeon to operate on his injured back.
The singer, 43, had herself struggled with chronic pain which led her to spend eight days in hospital and unable to work, after a failed surgery to remove a disc from her back.
Jo took to Instagram to share a snap with Eamonn earlier this month after they met up to discuss their recent problems, joking that it was ‘lovely to moan about their backs’ together.
The GB News host previously credited Jo with recommending a surgeon who was able to help with his back problems, after being left in excruciating pain following a fall at his home.
He went under the knife in September to alleviate the pain, but continues to struggle with ‘an issue with his left leg,’ for which he is undergoing physiotherapy.
Cheerio: High spirits: The presenter who is battling chronic back pain, was pushed by devoted son Declan, 34, and appeared in high spirits despite his recent health woes
Low key: Eamonn cut a casual figure in a navy sports jacket which he layered over dark trousers, completing the look with comfy trainers
Looking good: The former This Morning host wore his silver locks in a relaxed style and carried a crutch in his right hand
On the mend: He has also undergone back surgery for help relieve the symptoms
Jo shared a picture of herself with her arm round Eamonn, who appeared to be seated outdoors.
She wrote: ‘So lovely catching up with this one today @eamonnholmes it was lovely to see you and chat (and moan) about our backs, but always a giggle close by ! #gettogether #friends #recovery #lunch.’
In an interview with The Daily Mail last month, Eamonn revealed that Jo contacted him on social media with the name of a German surgeon after he struggled with chronic back pain.
A scan revealed three protruding discs. ‘I still thought it would go away, but it didn’t. The knock-on effect was that I lost a lot of use in my right leg,’ he says.
‘I got epidural injections, which helped to a degree, but didn’t cure the problem. I started using a stick, so life was already becoming more curtailed.’
Things took a turn for the worse when, last May, he flew to Belfast to host an event in honour of close friend, broadcasting legend Gloria Hunniford, and ended up in A&E at the city’s Royal Victoria Hospital, after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues.
Eamonn was immediately admitted for emergency surgery, only for the operation to be postponed at the last minute.
‘The surgeon was standing over me, all masked up and ready to operate, but then decided it was too complicated.
Cooee! Beaming Eamonn gave a wave to fans as he entered the venue and even stopped to chat with a star-stuck security guard
Heading home: The TV star was helped into a car after enjoying the match
Family: As well as Declan, Eamonn shares Rebecca, 31, and Niall, 29, with his ex-wife Gabrielle
Chilly? Eamonn wrapped up in a black coat amid the cold temperatures
‘The spine and all the nerves that lead off it affect so many other things, which he felt needed to be addressed first. I was crushed,’ he recalls. ‘I had been in severe pain for a year, and I desperately hoped this might be the answer.’
Instead, he spent nine days being monitored in hospital before returning to England – to a full work schedule, culminating in live coverage of the death of the Queen in September.
‘By now my left leg wasn’t working well either,’ he says. ‘I had to rely heavily on Isabel, who was bearing my weight, getting me round. It was horrendous.’
He mentioned his troubles in passing on social media and was contacted by Jo.
‘She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon,’ he said. ‘I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate.’
After contacting the surgeon, Eamonn went under the knife in late September. ‘It went well — the doctor tidied things up, and generally the pain has gone, which is brilliant,’ he said.
Oh dear: He split from Gabrielle, after ten years of marriage in 1996, as the pressure of commuting to London to present GMTV from their home in Belfast took its toll
Couple: Eamonn married co-host and wife Ruth in 2010, they share son Jack, 20
