The 62-year-old veteran announcer targeted his former employer as he accepted his award after winning the award for this year’s Tric Awards, which recognize stars from the worlds of television and radio. Eamonn Holmes sensationally made ITV’s controversial This Morning move to GB News to present the channel’s breakfast program alongside Isabel Webster, and has now been recognized for its success since it began presenting the channel’s ‘breakfasts.
After accepting the award, Eamonn remarked, “I didn’t give up on ITV, ITV gave up on me.”
He added: “Good Morning Britain, let’s look for you.” The station later said at a news conference that it was “very proud” of the award and that it “means a lot this year especially” referring to the announcement of November that Holmes would leave ITV after 15 years presenting This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford.
When asked if he thought GB News had a chance of surpassing the ITV channel, especially without Piers Morgan, he said, “Oh God, yes.”
He added: “I did not give up ITV, ITV gave up on me. I never received a single explanation of why they wanted to get rid of me, no matter what they told you.
“I think you’re very lucky to work in television … I was 10 years old and I wanted to be a news presenter. I’m a news presenter. 42 years later, I’m still winning awards that was good.”
He and BBC journalist Clive Myrie, who spent some time in Kyiv earlier this year reporting on the conflict in Ukraine, were recognized on Wednesday at the awards.
Eamonn beat Clive, as well as Victoria Derbyshire and Stephen Dixon at the Television and Radio Industries Club to claim the news presenter of the year award.
This comes after a turbulent year for Holmes, as in November it was announced that he would leave ITV after 15 years of hosting This Morning alongside his wife Ruth Langsford.
At the time, GB News had recently launched and Eamonn’s move surprised viewers.
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Strictly Come Dancing also received the award for best reality show after a series that made history last year in which EastEnders winner and star Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant.
Bake Off star John Whaite and his partner Johannes Radebe also marked a milestone as the first all-male couple.
Hosts Ant and Dec again won the television personality award while The Chase won the game show award.
In the soap opera world, Emmerdale received the Soap of the Year award and Rosie Marcel’s role in Holby City won her Best Soap Actor Award.