Ruth Langsford denies making a ‘dig’ at reality TV stars after criticism

She previously spoke about ‘reality TV’ stars while referring to her and husband Eamonn Holmes‘ careers, saying they didn’t ‘get an overnight job’.

But Ruth Langsford has denied that her comments were ‘directed at anyone in particular’ after she was slammed by former Big Brother star Alex Sibley for making an ‘out of order dig’.

The TV host’s comments came before it was revealed that she would be replaced on This Morning by Alison Hammond, another ex Big Brother contestant, in a huge shake-up by ITV bosses.

Ruth, 60, previously said that she and her husband, 60, had ‘put the work in’ to get into their positions and didn’t ‘do a reality show’ and ‘get an overnight job’.

Before the new hosting line-up was revealed, she told The Sunday Mirror’s Notebook Magazine: ‘We’ve put the work in.

‘We didn’t do a reality show and get an overnight job on the telly. We’ve come up through the ranks.’

But representatives for Ruth have denied that her comments were ‘directed at anyone’ insisting that they had been made as a ‘general observation’.

The spokesperson continued: ‘The comments from Ruth were made as a general observation in an interview conducted more than six weeks ago, about the industry and different routes into the business.

‘Ruth was simply illustrating a point that whereas some presenters launch their careers by being on other TV programmes first, her and Eamonn’s experience and career paths had taken a different and more traditional path.

‘This wasn’t directed at anyone in particular – indeed she has always been supportive of a number of her professional colleagues and friends who have taken this route.’

It comes as the ex-model pal of Alison Hammond, 41, criticised Ruth for making an ‘out of order dig’ after her comments about reality TV stars, The Daily Star reported. 

But the former reality TV star said that Ruth should be ‘thankful’ for her ‘great run’ on This Morning after slamming her for making a ‘dig’. 

He told the Daily Star: ‘Ruth’s out of order making that dig.’ 

Alex then went on to detail Alison’s career as a child actress and said that she has since ‘worked her way up the tv ladder for the last 20 years’ to gain her acclaim.

He continued: ‘I’m not jealous of her [Alison’s] success like certain other people, she deserves it.’

His criticism came after it was announced that Alison, who first gained fame on screen as a contestant in Big Brother, would be replacing Ruth as a presenter on This Morning.

The longtime presenter’s husband and co-host Eamonn is also set to be replaced by Dermot O’Leary as a host on the hit ITV chat show.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the married couple had been dropped from the ITV chat show after both presenting the hit Friday morning slot for 14 years.

But the duo will continue to host the ITV show from Monday to Thursday during the schools’ six-week summer holiday.

Fan-favourite Alison, and Dermot, 47, impressed both viewers and ITV bosses when they covered for main hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in the summer. 

News of the This Morning line-up comes just five months after This Morning editor Martin Frizell told staff that he was planning to hire a black presenter.

During a video conference with staff in June, he said: ‘There is not a black presenter on any of the programmes today. 

‘We plan to change that, we [This Morning] are looking into that.’ 

But Eamonn and Ruth were said to be ‘disappointed and devastated’ by the big news, as they have ‘loved’ their stint presenting on This Morning. 

Fern Britton, 63, who hosted the popular daytime show between 1999 and 2009, took to Twitter after hearing the big news and said ‘Oh no?’.

But the presenter also tweeted: ‘That doesn’t take away from the fact Alison Hammond is a superstar who deserves the world. Overlooked for far too long by ITV, this is her moment.’ 

And Eammon and Ruth have been assured that they remain ‘part of the This Morning family’ and will likely be asked to cover when other presenters are on holiday.

Earlier this month, a This Morning source said: ‘Ruth and Eamonn have been part of the show for 14 years and being told they are no longer wanted has been very sad and disappointing for them.  

‘They love it and the viewers love them, but times are changing on the show and they have been the victims.’