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GB News Forces Eamonn Holmes to Apologise for “Oriental” Comment to Kerry Katona

The Awkward On-Air Moment

On an otherwise routine August 2025 breakfast slot on GB News, veteran broadcaster Eamonn Holmes found himself at the centre of a storm that would dominate headlines for days. The 65-year-old Northern Irish presenter was interviewing former Atomic Kitten singer and reality TV personality Kerry Katona about her latest round of cosmetic procedures when the conversation took an unexpected and uncomfortable turn.

Katona, 44, had openly discussed undergoing an eye-lift and blepharoplasty following a previous facelift, explaining how the surgery aimed to correct sagging skin and give her a more refreshed appearance. What should have been a light-hearted chat about celebrity beauty standards quickly descended into awkward silence when Holmes, peering closely at the camera feed, made a remark that many viewers immediately flagged as racially insensitive.

What Eamonn Holmes Actually Said

The exact exchange has since been replayed countless times across social media and news outlets. While discussing the results of Katona’s eye surgery, Holmes leaned forward and asked:

“And you don’t look Oriental or anything, do you?”

The comment appeared to reference the stereotype that certain types of upper blepharoplasty – particularly when overly aggressive – can create an appearance sometimes unfairly associated with East Asian eye shapes. The studio fell silent for several seconds. Katona, visibly stunned, could be seen blinking rapidly before forcing a laugh and moving the conversation along.

Kerry Katona Left Speechless

Those few seconds of silence spoke volumes. Kerry Katona later admitted that she was completely taken aback and momentarily lost for words – an unusual state for the famously outspoken star.

“I literally didn’t know what to say,” Katona told a tabloid the following day. “I’ve had every insult thrown at me over the years, but that one just floored me. It wasn’t malicious, I don’t think, but it was so outdated and clumsy.”

Friends of the singer reportedly said she spent the commercial break “shaking her head in disbelief” and only regained her composure because the show had to continue.

Immediate Viewer Backlash

Within minutes of the broadcast, social media platforms – particularly X – were flooded with criticism. Hashtags such as #EamonnHolmes and #KerryKatona began trending in the UK as viewers accused the presenter of casual racism.

Many pointed out that the term “Oriental” is widely regarded as outdated and inappropriate when referring to people, having been largely replaced by specific ethnic or national descriptors. Others highlighted the insensitivity of suggesting that looking “Oriental” would be an undesirable outcome of cosmetic surgery.

Ofcom confirmed it received over 400 complaints in the first 24 hours – a significant number for a mid-morning GB News programme.

GB News Steps In

Unlike previous controversies involving its presenters, GB News moved swiftly. Senior executives reportedly contacted the show’s gallery during the next advertising break and instructed producers that Holmes must issue an on-air apology before the programme ended.

Sources inside the channel claim that the instruction came directly from the top, with one insider quoted as saying: “Legal and compliance made it crystal clear – this couldn’t be left to fester. We’ve had too many Ofcom investigations this year already.”

The Forced Live Apology

With less than ten minutes left in the show, Eamonn Holmes returned to the subject. Visibly uncomfortable and reading from a prepared statement placed in front of him, he delivered what many described as one of the most reluctant apologies in British broadcasting history.

“I’ve been asked to apologise for a comment I made earlier to Kerry about her eye surgery,” Holmes began. “Apparently some people found it offensive. I don’t particularly see why I should apologise, but if anyone was upset by it, then I’m sorry.”

The wording – particularly the phrase “I don’t particularly see why” – immediately fuelled a second wave of criticism, with many accusing Holmes of undermining the apology before it had even left his mouth.

Holmes: “I Don’t See Why I Should Apologise”

Later that afternoon, sources close to the presenter claimed he remained baffled by the strength of the reaction. One friend told a newspaper: “Eamonn is old-school. In his day, that kind of comment might have raised an eyebrow but wouldn’t have ended careers. He genuinely didn’t intend any harm and feels he’s being hung out to dry for something trivial.”

Holmes himself has remained largely silent on social media since the incident, posting only a photograph of his dog the following morning with no caption.

Katona’s Reaction After the Show

In contrast, Kerry Katona has been typically forthcoming. Appearing on her YouTube channel two days later, she addressed the incident directly but stopped short of demanding the presenter be sacked.

“I accept the apology – sort of,” she said. “Look, Eamonn is from a different generation. I don’t think he woke up that morning planning to offend anyone. But words matter, and ‘Oriental’ just isn’t something you say about a person’s appearance in 2025.”

Katona added that she had received a private call from GB News management assuring her the matter was being taken seriously.

History of Controversy at GB News

This is far from the first time the channel has faced accusations of allowing controversial or offensive material to air. Since its launch in 2021, GB News has been fined or censured by Ofcom on multiple occasions for breaches ranging from impartiality rules to hate speech guidelines.

Presenters including Dan Wootton, Calvin Robinson, and Laurence Fox have all departed the channel following various scandals. Critics argue that the latest incident involving Holmes – one of its biggest names – demonstrates that little has changed in the broadcaster’s editorial culture.

Public Divided Over the Incident

Reaction has been sharply split along familiar lines. While many younger viewers and anti-racism campaigners condemned Holmes’s original remark as unacceptable, an equally vocal contingent leapt to his defence.

Radio phone-ins and online comments sections were filled with variations of “It’s political correctness gone mad” and “He was only making an observation.” Several columnists in right-leaning newspapers argued that the apology itself was the greater embarrassment, claiming it showed how “woke” culture now polices even the most innocuous conversation.

The Wider Conversation About Language and Ageing Presenters

The episode has reignited debate about generational differences in language use, particularly among veteran broadcasters. At 65, Eamonn Holmes belongs to a cohort of presenters who began their careers in an era when terms now considered offensive were commonplace in newsrooms and on air.

Media commentators have pointed out similar recent incidents involving older presenters – from outdated gender references to casual ableism – and questioned whether television channels are doing enough to provide updated sensitivity training.

Impact on Eamonn Holmes’s Reputation

Despite the backlash, industry insiders believe Holmes’s position at GB News remains secure – at least for now. His breakfast show continues to deliver strong ratings for the channel, regularly beating Sky News and BBC News in the morning slot.

However, the incident has undoubtedly dented his reputation among younger audiences and may make high-profile guests more wary of appearing opposite him.

Kerry Katona’s History with Cosmetic Surgery Commentary

For Kerry Katona, public discussion of her appearance is nothing new. The star has been open about multiple procedures over the years, often using them as content for her social media and reality shows.

What made this incident different, she says, was the racial element. “I’ve been called everything under the sun about my lips, my boobs, my teeth – but never anything like that,” she told one interviewer.

What the Experts Say About the Term “Oriental”

Linguists and anti-racism organisations were quick to explain why the term caused such offence. While “Oriental” was once used neutrally to describe people from East Asia, it is now widely viewed as dehumanising and reminiscent of colonial-era attitudes.

The British East and Southeast Asian community issued a statement saying: “Referring to our natural features as something to be avoided after surgery reinforces harmful stereotypes and implies that looking Asian is undesirable.”

GB News’s Official Response

In a brief statement released 48 hours after the incident, GB News said: “Eamonn has apologised on air for any offence caused. The matter is now closed.”

The channel declined to comment on whether Holmes faced any internal disciplinary action or additional training.

Conclusion: A Teachable Moment or Overreaction?

The Eamonn Holmes and Kerry Katona incident – uncomfortable, brief, and undeniably awkward – has become another chapter in Britain’s ongoing culture war over language, offence, and generational understanding.

For some, it was a clear example of why media figures must evolve with societal norms. For others, it represented yet another overreach by the perpetually offended.

Whatever side one takes, few would dispute that a simple breakfast television interview in the summer of 2025 exposed – once again – the fragile fault lines running through modern British discourse.