Eamonn Holmes has expressed strong frustration after being compelled to apologize for his comment that Kerry Katona appeared “oriental” following her recent cosmetic surgery.
The 65-year-old broadcaster vented his displeasure, stating that the “world is absurd” and that it seemed one could not describe someone as looking oriental anymore, following his live on-air apology mishap.
During an interview on GB News with the presenter and former Atomic Kitten singer about her recent cosmetic enhancement, Eamonn made the controversial comment. Kerry, who has been transparent about her history of surgeries, looked surprised as he inquired, “Are you satisfied with the eyes?”
Responding, Kerry explained, “I had them done over a year ago now. It was just an uplift because my eyes felt a bit heavy. But what I don’t appreciate is when…” Eamonn interjected, “And you don’t look Oriental or anything, do you?” leaving Kerry taken aback.
Discussing her procedure further, Kerry clarified, “I simply wanted the excess skin removed. I didn’t want to alter my face; I only wanted the hanging skin over my eyes gone,” to which Eamonn commended her for being open about her cosmetic enhancements.
Subsequently, apologizing, he added, “Apparently, you’re not allowed to describe someone as looking oriental or… I don’t know how I would describe Kerry Katona if her eyes change shape.”
Eamonn’s co-host, Ellie Costello, swiftly intervened to ease the tension, remarking, “But Kerry looks beautiful.” Eamonn concurred, saying, “Kerry looks well, I apologize if you don’t look well or if we have unintentionally offended you…”
In a prior incident in 2021, police were advised against using the term “Oriental” to describe individuals from China and Southeast Asia in a hate crime report. The Home Office deemed the term offensive and excluded it from the permissible categories.
Sarah Owen, the first female MP of Chinese descent and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hate Crime, criticized the terminology as “extremely outdated.”
This recent incident is not the first time Eamonn has had to apologize for on-air remarks. In an episode of This Morning in 2021, he likened Dr. Zoe Williams’ hair to that of an alpaca, stating that he wanted to “pet” it.
Kerry, earlier this year, disclosed that she decided against a lower facelift after her children pleaded for her not to undergo further surgery. Despite her initial excitement for the procedure, Kerry emphasized that her children heavily influenced her decision.
GB News airs daily from 6 am.