RUTH Langsford has hired a “fierce” divorce lawyer in her marital split from Eamonn Holmes.
TV host Eamonn, 64, was seen cosying up to new lover Katie Alexander, 42, in Ibiza yesterday.
He will be up against Catherine Costley, a protegee of Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who was enlisted by Paul McCartney in his break-up.
The big-gun legal eagle has worked under the country’s top divorce lawyer, “Steel Magnolia” Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who represented Charles in his split from Diana, and Sir Paul McCartney.
Ms Costley revels in her fierce reputation and has said all women should have a “go bag” secret fund if exiting a relationship quickly.
Loose Women host Ruth, 64, turned to her several months ago as she seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Eamonn with a financial settlement.
The GB News presenter’s spending since their split is likely to come under the spotlight in the divorce case.
Yesterday he and new girlfriend Katie Alexander were pictured together during a stop on their romantic cruise.
Eamonn was seen playfully patting Katie’s bottom in a public display of affection as they headed out for a night enjoying Ibiza Town on Friday.
Yesterday they followed it up with a shopping trip around the capital’s cobbled streets.
Divorced mum Katie has recently been seen driving a £50,000 Mercedes and wearing expensive jewellery.
As the pair stepped off their cruise ship on Friday evening, she turned heads in £665 Christian Louboutin shoes, an elegant £315 black Nadine Merabi dress, with plunging neckline, an £850 handbag from Spanish luxury designer Loewe and a £4,200 vintage Alhambra five-motifs bracelet.
Eamonn is believed to be using lawyer Rachael Somerset from London-based firm Level.
They will face Ms Costley, from Fladgate, who has been described as “pin sharp” by high-society magazine Tatler.
On her company website profile, it says: “I am listed in the Top 23 Divorce Lawyers on Midult.com’s directory, where I am described as ‘serenity itself, methodical, thoughtful and kind’ but also ‘progressive’ and ‘fierce’.”
Ms Costley worked for nine years at Payne Hicks Beach alongside Baroness Shackleton.
The peer was nicknamed Steel Magnolia for her charm and determination after securing Charles his divorce settlement in 1996.
That year she acted for Prince Andrew during his split from Sarah, Duchess of York.
Baroness Shackleton also represented Sir Paul McCartney and was drenched with a jug of water tipped on her in court by his ex-wife Heather Mills in 2008.
Meanwhile, Ms Costley has previously advised women to have a secret fund in case they need to exit a relationship quickly.
She said: “My main piece of advice would be that everyone should have a ‘go bag’.
“It doesn’t matter how much or how little money you have, make sure you always have some money and, ideally, savings of your own.”
She added: “Love is amazing, we enter into relationships when we are full of hope, in good faith but you just never know what’s going to happen.”
Telly golden couple Eamonn and Ruth announced their split in May.
They released a statement saying: “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.”
Yesterday Ruth, mum to their son Jack, 22, took part in a charity memory walk in Cobham, Surrey, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
A source said: “Ruth is putting her best foot forward and holding her head up high.
“Of course, she has hired one of the best lawyers in the business so she can protect her future after decades of hard work in the industry.
“However, she has been left shocked by Eamonn’s public display of affection towards Katie and has found it hurtful.”
The source added: “Katie is driving a £50,000 Mercedes and has been dressed head-to-toe in designer gear on the cruise.
Katie is driving a £50,000 Mercedes and has been dressed head-to-toe in designer gear on the cruise
Sun source
“Eamonn seems to be besotted with her and wants to show her his affection.”
Ruth took part in yesterday’s charity walk for her mother Joan, 93, who has Alzheimer’s and is in a care home.
Ahead of the fundraiser, the star said: “There’s a huge sense of togetherness, everyone is walking for a purpose, whether it’s for those you love, those you’ve lost or those living with dementia.”
She added: “I’ll be walking for my mum Joan who is living with Alzheimer’s disease and in memory of my dad Dennis.
“You feel part of something that’s helping to make a difference.”
On Friday evening Eamonn and Katie got off Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady in front of hundreds of tourists following a delay caused by poor weather at sea.
Onlookers in Ibiza said the new couple looked “very loved-up”.
Katie, wearing a thigh-high black dress, was seen stepping forward to support Eamonn in his electric wheelchair which he is using following back surgery.
He pulled Katie close and they shared an affectionate gaze.
She was also pictured arranging their transport.
And as they waited an hour for a minibus, Eamonn was swamped by female admirers requesting selfies.
One tourist said: “They look like a couple, enjoying the holiday spirit together and she’s clearly very attentive to him.”
Eamonn and Katie were then whisked off with some pals to enjoy the sunset at port-side restaurant Mariner where red wine is on the menu at £500.
Eamonn, wearing a smart blazer and white trousers, was lowered from the minibus before driving his wheelchair into the restaurant.
The pair spent two hours eating and drinking, before they were taken back to the ship at 11.30pm.
Yesterday the pair went on a second outing into Ibiza Town, with Katie looking radiant in a white patterned dress, sunglasses, sun hat and hooped earrings, as they explored shops and bars.
Eamonn was dressed in aviator sunglasses, a blue short-sleeved shirt and white trousers.
A source said: “Katie is living her dream.
“She couldn’t be happier strutting along the Ibiza streets with her new man.”
But friends of Ruth confirmed she feels hurt by the way Eamonn is now openly flaunting his relationship with Katie.
Since joining the £15,000 seven-day Mediterranean cruise last Sunday in Barcelona, he has been chatting with some of the other 2,800 passengers and posing with fellow guests for photos.
For a “Scarlet” theme night onboard the ship, Eamonn wore red heart sunglasses and posed with women dressed in red wigs.
One passenger said: “They have had a great time and have both been very chatty. His partner is beautiful. He told me he cannot walk because he had surgery on his back and it went wrong.”
Katie is living her dream. She couldn’t be happier strutting along the Ibiza streets with her new man
Sun source
Other stops on the cruise included Toulon in France, Carrara in Tuscany and Rome. It is due to end in Barcelona today.
Ruth and Eamonn shared a £3.5million five-bedroom home in Weybridge, Surrey, where she has remained since the split.
Eamonn has moved into a flat nearby.
The Sun on Sunday revealed in June that Katie, a relationship therapist, and Eamonn had been on outings together, including to a Beyoncé concert, a safari park and Manchester United matches.
Katie — who has also been on trips to Belfast where Eamonn has friends and family — met him on social media in 2015 after she commented on a post and it sparked a conversation.
Opening up about the split with Ruth in June at the TRIC Awards Eamonn said: “It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.”
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