To celebrate her 65th birthday on Tuesday, Ruth Langsford posted a stunning picture as she relaxed on the beach watching the sunset on a gorgeous getaway.
The ITV presenter declared: 'So this is 65' and friends have revealed the star feels the milestone birthday is a major turning point for Ruth, who spent her 64th year dealing with the fallout of her split from Eamonn Holmes.
Now she is ready to completely cut ties. 'She is living life to the full, 65 is going to be her number and she's living it large,' one pal told MailOnline.
And Ruth kicked off her new year in style, ditching her busy work schedule to jet off to a five star Caribbean resort with two of her closest girlfriends to mark her birthday.
A week of cocktails, swimming and plush dinners at the £1,000 a night Sandals resort has set the precedent for Ruth's year ahead, with her friend gushing: 'She wants to let her hair down. This is the new Ruth that wanted to come out but was stifled by Eamonn and this is her free.'
'She likes a drink, a chilled glass of white wine, she likes having fun, she loves a cigarette here and there and is kicking her heels up. She is going for it and doesn't care and is looking better and younger than ever.'
Despite Eamonn going public with his new younger girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, it appears Ruth is actually the one who's had the last laugh with an amazing glow up, and a fun-packed year - and she's only just getting started.
To celebrate her 65th birthday on Tuesday, Ruth Langsford posted a stunning picture as she relaxed on the beach watching the sunset on a gorgeous getaway
Friends have revealed the star feels the milestone birthday is a major turning point for Ruth, who spent her 64th year dealing with the fallout of her split from Eamonn Holmes
The Loose Women star split from the GB News host in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.
In November, she got a glamorous makeover and treated herself to a pamper session by makeup artist Liv Davey and hairstylist Maurice Flynn.
She also jetted to Australia for I'm A Celeb's spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Unpacked, a trip her pals reveal she never would have made during her marriage.
And speaking to woman&home about her divorce last month, Ruth revealed how she is determined to look ahead and feels an enthusiasm for what's next, including meeting someone new.
The Loose Women star discussed their 'difficult' break up and how she has picked herself up and moved on.
Shortly after their separation, Eamonn went public with his new relationship with dating counsellor Katie while Ruth remains publicly single.
When asked how she is feeling now, Ruth said: 'I'm alright. Relationship breakdowns are very difficult – marriage, friendship, whatever it is – but you just deal with it and you have to move on. You can either let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It's a choice.'
Ruth, who shares son Jack, 22, with Eamonn, added: 'I'm not delighted my marriage is over but I've accepted that my marriage is over, so I am trying to now embrace the fact that I'm single and can make choices that are just about me.'
Discussing being on her own again after the split, she said: I'm quite fine being on my own, but not forever.
Ruth kicked off her new year in style, ditching her busy work schedule to jet off to a five star Caribbean resort with two of her closest girlfriends to mark her birthday
A week of cocktails, swimming and plush dinners at the £1,000 a night Sandals resort has set the precedent for Ruth's year ahead, with her friend gushing: 'She wants to let her hair down
'When you're in a relationship, it's easy to say, "Great, I've got a weekend to myself," but when you think that might be every weekend, it's a different story.'
Ruth revealed that the toll of the situation has caused her to lose weight, while she also revealed a hormone check and the end of the menopause may have also been affected.
She said: 'I have lost weight. Divorce obviously has something to do with it but I also went for a hormone check and rebalance, which helped. It could also hopefully mean that I'm coming to the end of menopause.'
In November, she got a glamorous makeover and treated herself to a pamper session by makeup artist Liv Davey and hairstylist Maurice Flynn
The Loose Women star split from the GB News host in May 2024 after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together
Ruth also admitted that throwing herself into work over the past year has proved a welcome distraction from the heartache of her marriage ending.
The TV star added: 'For a lot of people, whatever troubles you have, work is something that you have to get up and do. For me, it's always been a good thing to dust myself down and concentrate on something else.'
Ruth has also been enjoying a series of girls' nights, hitting the town in the last few months with good friend Lizzie Cundy.
In February, the pair took to London for a luxurious meal at Scott's Mayfair where they were joined by their pal and hospitality consultant Liz Taylor.
The Loose Women panellist added a caption to her story reading, 'GIRLS NIGHT', along with an animation of wine glasses clinking.
Lizzie also posted pictures to her Instagram of the evening out, penning the caption: 'Girls night! Party like it's your birthday. Laughter is the best medicine.'
In January, the duo enjoyed another night out as they partied in Little Italy in Soho, London with Rylan Clark.
Ruth has also been enjoying a series of girls' nights, hitting the town i n the last few months with good friends Lizzie Cundy and Rylan Clark
Ruth has been making the most of her single era and spending time with her pals
Even Eammon's former GB News co-host Isabel Webster showed her support for his Ruth with a sweet birthday message on Monday.
In the snap Isabel, 42, cosied up to the Loose Women star as they both stunned in chic gowns and a stylish hats.
She wrote: 'Happy Birthday @Ruthlangsford' to which the birthday girl replied: 'Thank you darling'.
