Eamonn Holmes steps down from Sky News after 11 years

Eamonn Holmes is stepping down from hosting Sky News Sunrise after 11 years.

The TV presenter (56) confirmed his departure from the daily breakfast programme via a post on his Facebook page.

He said that anchoring his own breakfast show was “the stuff of boyhood dreams” but that it is time for him to step down due to “having so much to do but little time to do it”.

Mr Holmes explained he has several other things to focus on at present, including a “number of documentary projects” that he has put on hold for a while.

He said: “There is so much going on and I realised it was now or never.”

He thanked Sky’s head of news John Ryley for being “understanding and sympathetic” of his decision, and also the “wider Sky family” for their support over the years.

Mr Holmes said: “I cannot stress how hard it is saying goodbye to such a programme and the friends and colleagues who I have met over the years because of it - but nothing stays the same - nor should it. New studios mean a wonderful chance for new ideas and a new approach with new presenters. I hope they enjoy and respect the privilege of hosting Sunrise and waking up Britain and the world as much as I have.

“To those who have worked or woken up with me on Sky News over the years - thank you. I hope you appreciated that I tried to do it differently.”

Mr Holmes has presented Sky News Sunrise since 2005, following his departure from ITV's GMTV, which he co-hosted for 12 years.

He is a stand-in presenter on This Morning alongside his wife Ruth Langsford, and he also hosts Channel 5's celebrity panel show It's Not Me, It's You.

PA