Eamonn Holmes inks £2m deal with Sky News to front morning show

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 20-May-05, 11:00

LONDON - Eamonn Holmes is swapping the sofa at GMTV for a desk at Sky News after being snapped up in a deal worth £2m to front the broadcasters morning show, 'Sky Sunrise' for three years.

Holmes signed the contract yesterday, a move that sees him return to his journalism roots after 12 years co-hosting ITV's morning show GMTV.

Holmes, 45, quit his £450,000 a year job in January blaming early morning starts and wanting to spend more time with his family as his main reason for leaving.

He was also said to be fed up with his GMTV bosses turning their back on serious journalism.

"I went to Dunblane. I went to Omagh. There's no scope for that sort of programme now. I deeply regret that," he said.

Holmes takes over the 6am to 9am 'Sky Sunrise' desk with co-host Lorna Dunkley this autumn.

Before joining GMTV, Holmes spent six years working as a reporter on Ulster Television having begun his career as a reporter in Northern Ireland.

"It's going to be very, very exciting from my point of view to go back to my roots," Holmes said after landing the Sky News contract.

Head of Sky News Nick Pollard, said: "This is wonderful news for our channel. Eamonn is an outstanding and very experienced journalist who can handle any topic with flair, authority and warmth."

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