Eamonn Holmes Uses Racial Slur, Apologises Live on GB News

Eamonn Holmes sparked controversy on GB News after using the term "Oriental" to describe Kerry Katona's eyes following her plastic surgery, a word deemed offensive and outdated by the UK Home Office since 2021. During the live broadcast, Holmes asked Katona if she was happy with her eyes and then remarked, "And you don't look Oriental or anything, do you?" which left Katona momentarily speechless. Holmes issued a reluctant apology, expressing frustration about the restrictions on language, stating he did not know how else to describe changes in appearance without offending. His co-host Ellie Costello intervened to diffuse the situation by complimenting Katona's appearance. The incident drew attention to the sensitivities around racial terminology and the evolving standards of acceptable language in public discourse. Holmes's comments and apology reignited discussions on race, language, and the challenges of navigating cultural sensitivities in media.