Eamonn Holmes forced to apologise after 'offensive' remark to Kerry Katona live on GB News

Eamonn Holmes was forced to apologise after he made a comment about Kerry Katona's appearance during an interview on his GB News Breakfast programme

Eamonn Holmes was forced to apologise after describing Kerry Katona as appearing "oriental" following her cosmetic procedures. The GB News host was discussing the presenter and singer's recent surgical enhancements, something Kerry has consistently been transparent about previously.

However, it was one remark on his Breakfast show which left Kerry utterly speechless.

During his GB News programme on Thursday (August 21), he questioned the star: "Are you happy with the eyes?"

Kerry responded: "I had them done over a year ago now. You know all it was I could... it was making my eyes feel a bit heavy so I had an uplift. But what I don't like is when.."

Eamonn interjected: "And you don't look Oriental or anything do you?" leaving Kerry astounded.

Discussing her treatment, Kerry explained: "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," before Eamonn commended her for being candid about her cosmetic alterations.

Offering an apology, he subsequently stated: "Apparently you're not allowed to describe someone as looking oriental or... I don't know how I would end up describing Kerry Katona if her eyes change shape.

"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."

Eamonn's co-presenter, Ellie Costello, quickly intervened to calm the tension, stating: "But Kerry looks beautiful."

Eamonn responded: "Kerry looks well, I'm sorry if you don't look well or we have offended you in any way or... Oh, I don't know."

The Home Office removed the term 'Oriental' from an approved list of classifications, reports the Mirror, when referring to individuals from China and South East Asia in a race-hate crime document from 2021.

"This term is offensive," the government department declared.

Sarah Owen, Britain's first female MP of Chinese heritage and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hate Crime, described the language as "incredibly outdated".

This marks another occasion where Eamonn has faced calls to apologise for on-air remarks. In 2021, during a This Morning segment with Dr Zoe Williams, he compared her hairstyle to that of an alpaca.

During the August 12 broadcast, he expressed a desire to "pet" her locks.

He commented live: "Your hair reminds me of an alpaca today. You just want to pet it, don't you? It's very alpaca-ish."

Zoe responded firmly: "Don't touch my hair!" Following the backlash, Eamonn posted on social media that same day: "Hey everyone out there, if my attempt at being humorous with my friend @DrZoeWilliams was misjudged I am mortified and humbly apologise to anyone who was offended."

Earlier this year, Kerry disclosed that she had chosen not to proceed with a lower facelift after her children pleaded with her not to have another surgery. Despite her initial enthusiasm for the procedure, Kerry admits her children "massively impacted" her decision.

GB News broadcasts daily from 6am.