Eamonn Holmes has opened up about the "unconditional love" he has for his dog Maggie, who he adopted with his now ex-wife Ruth Langsford. The former couple rescued the pet pooch from the charity Dogs Trust 15 years ago, and fans have since got to know her through social media ever since.

Following the pair's split last year, Maggie has remained with Ruth at the Surrey home they once shared.

Discussing their pet pooch, Eamonn claimed that while their bond remains the same, his health issues have get in the way of him showing Maggie his true affection.

"There’s only one word I’d use and that’s love," he shared. "She changed me, changed my life and changed my perception towards people.

"I am now disabled. I’m in a wheelchair. I’ve not been able to walk for two years, and this has affected my relationship with Maggie for the worse.

"Obviously the dog is low down in the ground so I can’t bend down. I can’t lift her up. I can’t take her on walks."

Speaking to The Times, Eamonn went on to confirm that Ruth was the primary carer of Maggie, but said their dog "still recognises" him.

"Although I can’t do what I want to do with her, my relationship with her supersedes that," he added.

Eamonn went on to describe his love for Maggie as "pure" and "unadulterated", something he says he hasn't experienced before.

"[It's] love that I’ve often looked for in human beings, and suddenly you’re getting it back, this unconditional love. There’s just an empathy," he added.

Eamonn and Ruth announced they had parted ways back in May last year, after 14 years of marriage.

He has since found love again with Katie Alexander, 43, a relationship counsellor, while Ruth has remained single for now.

As well as Maggie, they also share a 23-year-old son named Jack, while Eamonn additionally has three other children from his first marriage.

Speaking about their split for the first time back in February, Ruth told Woman and Home Magazine: "I’m quite fine being on my own, but not forever.

"Relationship breakdowns are very difficult, but you deal with it and have to move on. You can let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It’s a choice."

Ruth concluded by saying she wasn't "delighted" that their marriage is over, but had accepted the outcome.

Previously discussing life at home with Maggie, Eamonn made a cryptic joke about Ruth loving their pet pooch more than him.

He told The Telegraph: "If my wife loved me the way my dog loves me, I'd be a very happy man."

Ruth added: "We love her so much. You come home and you've had a tough day, a long day, whatever, and I see her and she sees me, or Eamonn, and you see her tail going, and then she runs off, and I know it's because she's getting a toy from her basket to bring you.

"It's just the loveliest thing. And you forget everything you were worried about, annoyed about, cross about."