By Elliott West
“I learned at David Vine’s knee”.
Eamonn Holmes
Introduction
Eamonn Holmes is an accomplished broadcaster and former journalist, having worked for Ulster television for the early part of his career, he went on to be a co-presenter on breakfast’s GMTV for twelve years and most recently presented This Morning with his wife Ruth Langford on the Friday edition of the show.
However, Eamonn has also had a long association as a sport’s presenter, working in areas such as darts and tennis. What is less known, especially to the younger viewer, was his involvement in snooker. Working on various snooker projects during the 1990s, Holmes was the face of the programme, working for the BBC and ITV, wearing various attire for the occasion including a dress suit.
Life on the Green Baize
Eamonn Holmes has had a close association with snooker, working as the new presenter of BBC’s Pot Black, bringing the show back after a five year absence in 1991 with Steve Davis defeating Stephen Hendry 2-1, a Junior version, both held in the Trentham Gardens at Stoke-on-Trent, won by Ronnie O’Sullivan and Pot Black Timeframe, held in Blackpool in 1992, a hybrid of the original show and a format that was well ahead of its time, similar to the Premier League that ran ten years later. Players had a limited amount of time to play, up against a clock and had players such as Alison Fisher taking part. The event was won by Neal Foulds.
Eamonn also worked with the BBC on the 1991 and 1992 World Championship, won by John Parrott and Stephen Hendry. Working closely with the late David Vine, Holmes credits Vine as one of the true greats of snooker presentation, owing much of his craft to watching the master at work. He was also an anchorman during the Masters of this period, witnessing the excitement and suspense of the former venue of the Wembley Conference Centre, wearing a dress suit for the final of the event.
Later, Holmes would work on ITV’s coverage of the former Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge Trophy, teaming up with my dear friend, the late Willie Thorne in the studio for conversation and analysis. A video of which I have included in my piece from the 1997 tournament, held in the International Convention Centre, Birmingham and won by Stephen Hendry in a thrilling final, defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-8.
Summary
Eamonn Holmes is a well established broadcaster with an extensive portfolio to his name. A presenter who can turn his hand to most subjects, whether working alongside his wife Ruth or being part of a news team, tackling news stories as they break. Spending some of his career working on various sports, Eamonn was a key figure in some of the most memorable tournaments of the 1990s, a learning curve period that gained him a vast amount of knowledge in the field and allowed him to witness the theatre that mainstream snooker presents to its audience.
Holmes, a lifelong Manchester United supporter, puts his all into everything he works on but portrays a relaxed composure that ideal for a television audience, making you feel as if you are part of the broadcast. Someone who is frightened to shed a tear, Eamonn remains a national treasure and could still return to snooker presentation if the opportunity were to arise in the future.
Thanks to Eamonn for agreeing to this piece and his much valued input.
