Carol McGiffin's blunt 4-word statement on friends Ruth and Eamonn split

During our stunning shoot with Carol McGiffin and her husband Mark Cassidy in the south of France, Carol, 64, opened up on a range of topics in her typically outspoken manner - including her former Loose Women colleagues.

Carol left the show last April, but explained that there are some current and former panellists with whom she happily stays in touch regularly, including Denise Welch, Kaye Adams and Jane Moore.

And, asked about another friend and former colleague Ruth Langsford, who it was revealed last month is set to divorce from her husband Eamonn Holmes, Carol told OK! that she was very saddened to hear of their shock split and in a four-word statement said "I love them both" - but explained that she had not yet reached out to her friend as she didn’t want to overwhelm her, or add to any of the 'noise' surrounding their separation.

Carol McGiffin white dress

She said: “It’s always sad when a relationship breaks up. But it’s sadder when you’re so in the public eye”, she said, adding: It’s really hard. Everyone’s speculating, everyone has a theory. I’d put everything I own on the fact that a lot of it is b******s.

“I feel for them both in that respect. I love them both, I’ve worked with them both, been at parties with them both. It’s really sad but I haven’t, as they say, ‘reached out’ to Ruth yet.

“She’ll be inundated and won’t want to hear from me, right now! I’ll send her a message when I know what’s really going on, not before. Otherwise, you’re just adding to the noise.”

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford

TV’s former golden couple, who share a grown-up son, Jack. announced their sad split at the end of May, following 14 years of marriage. Most recently, Eamonn spoke out during his first public appearance since at the TRIC Awards in London, admitting he is 'not OK' and that it is 'not a good time at all' for him. But he did add: "It's too early to say but I hope we can still be friends."

After the announcement of his break up with Ruth, it is believed Eamonn decided to move out of the former couple’s luxurious Surrey residence and is thought to be renting a flat in South West London.

Carol and Mark were at the Hotel Saint Vincent and vineyard. For more information, visit hotelsaintvincent.com