BREAKING: Kerry Katona defends Eamonn Holmes after his racial slur comment on live TV

Reality TV star Kerry Katona has defended Eamonn Holmes amid the backlash to the former This Morning presenter saying a racial slur on live TV.

Kerry, 45, appeared on GB News this morning to talk about cosmetic surgery when she showcased the outcome of her facelift from the previous year. Kerry was visibly shocked when Eamonn described her eyes using the term "Oriental", a word that has been banned by the Home Office since 2021 due to its offensive nature.

"Are you happy with the eyes?" Eamonn asked Kerry, to which his co-host Ellie Costello complimented, "They look good, they look lovely." Kerry agreed, saying, "Yeah," and went on to explain, "I had them done over a year ago now. You know it was making my eyes feel a bit heavy, so I had an uplift. But what I don't like is when.."

READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes forced to apologise after shocking slur to Kerry Katona live on GB News

READ MORE: Vanessa Feltz's ex Ben Ofoedu 'urged to stop talking about her by concerned pals'

However, as Kerry tried to continue, Eamonn interrupted with, "And you don't look Oriental or anything, do you?" Caught off guard, Kerry hesitated before responding, "I just wanted the skin removed. I didn't want to change my face; I just wanted the skin that was hanging over my eyes."

Speaking on her Instagram Stories this afternoon, Kerry told Eamonn "I love you" and told her followers she was not "left speechless" or offended.

The mum-of-five said: Right guys I’ve literally just come out from getting my facial, getting my Botox done and I’ve just seen the papers and the press.

“Eamonn Holmes has been one of my oldest and longest friends and I absolutely adore and love him to bits he said absolutely nothing untoward, towards me - I wasn’t offended in anyway shape or form. I absolutely adore Eamonn, I truly adore him. I can’t believe what I’ve just…”

She then adds: “Me speechless? It’ll take a lot to make me bloody speechless that’s for sure. But, Eamonn I love you truly, I adore you, I have no idea where this has come from. I love you Eamonn.”

Towards the end of his breakfast show, after interviewing Kerry, Eamonn was forced to issue an apology to the audience for his earlier reference to the term "Oriental".

He remarked, "Apparently, you're not allowed to describe someone as looking oriental or... I don't know how I would then describe Kerry Katona if her eyes change shape."

The presenter on GB News went on: "I don't know how I'm going to say does she look like someone from some other country in the eastern of the world... The world is ridiculous.

"How you have to apologise for people... if she painted herself or... I don't know, I can't get into this. But anyway.

"But Kerry looks beautiful," Ellie chimed in.

"Kerry looks well," Eamonn agreed, before concluding with, "I'm sorry if you don't look well or if we have offended you in any way or... oh, I don't know."

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.