Eamonn Holmes has revealed that Ruth Langsford’s late sister was ‘tortured by mental depression‘.

The TV host, 60, spoke candidly about how his wife was left ‘distraught’ after her elder sister Julia Johnson, 62, was found dead at home in 2019.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Eamonn said: ‘It’s just the unanswered questions. Sudden death is a very, very ­difficult thing to deal with, and with Julia you know, she was just the most lovely, gentile, kind person.

Candid: Eamonn Holmes has revealed that Ruth Langsford’s late sister was ‘tortured by mental depression’

‘I often used to joke to her and Ruth that I got the wrong sister, but she was a lovely, lovely person – tortured by mental depression.

‘Ruth was very caring, very loving to her and I think there can often be a guilt when you think, “Should I have been there? Where was I?”.’

Julia, who had battled depression for years, was found dead by her husband Paul at their home in Lingfield, Surrey, in June 2019.

Much missed: Julia, who had battled depression for years, was found dead by her husband Paul at their home in Lingfield, Surrey, in June 2019

At the time, Ruth told viewers her sister had died ‘after a long illness’, with an inquest later ruling she had died by suicide.

Devastated, Ruth was unable to go to work that week and two months later she left the This Morning studio in tears unable to continue with a phone-in on anxiety and depression.

Speaking to psychologist Emma Kenny on This Morning in February this year, Ruth spoke in public about her sister’s suicide for the first time, explaining: ‘This happened in my family. I remember my shock at that. It’s the questions it leaves the families’.

Candid: Announcing her sister’s death on Twitter at the time, Ruth wrote: ‘My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness. My heart is completely broken’

She continued with a list of a list of questions family members may have: ‘I should have gone round. I should have phoned. I was going to go round. I was going to phone. Maybe I should have stayed longer,’ she said.

She added: ‘You are left with the “what ifs”. It’s her family now that I think will need so much help.’

Ruth shared a photo alongside Julia to Twitter following her sister’s death alongside a heartfelt caption that read: ‘My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness. My heart is completely broken.

‘She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever. As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family. Thank you for your understanding.’

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org

Family: Her sister was a landscape gardener and lived in Surrey with her husband Paul and daughter Katie (Ruth, their mother and Julia in 2018)