Ruth Langsford, 59, said her sister had died after an illness. Writing in view of her 589,000 Twitter followers, she said: “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.” Ruth also shared the statement with her 673,000 Instagram followers.
Accompanying the post was a picture of her and her sister Julia, smiling as they sat on a bench outside in the sunshine, their arms around each other.
According to The Sun,This Morning and Loose Women presenter Ruth has cancelled all upcoming TV appearances until further notice following her sister’s death.
A source told the publication: “She adored Julia. They were very close – speaking all the time on the phone and enjoying girls’ days out.
“Julia had been unwell for quite some time but this has shaken Ruth to the core” they added.
The insider told the publication Ruth’s husband Eamonn Holmes, 59, and their on Jack, 17, are “comforting her at home”.
“Ruth is in deep shock,” they said. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking for the whole family.”
Ruth’s famous friends rushed to share their condolences, with Gemma Atkinson commenting: “I’m so sorry Ruth. Sending lots of love to you all.”
“So sorry to hear this Ruth,” Samantha Giles said. “Sending love to you and your family.”
Coleen Nolan simply shared a broken heart emoji, while Kate Thornton wrote: “Oh Ruth I’m so sorry to hear that. Thoughts are with you and sending all my love.”
Mel Sykes added: “Oh Ruth I’m so sorry. Sending you so much love.”
Just last month, Ruth shared glimpses at a trip to The Chauffeur’s Flat gardens in Surrey with her mother Joan and sister Julia.
On Instagram, she uploaded a video of the gardens, writing: “Wonderful day out yesterday with my Mum and big Sis at the #chauffersflatgarden in Tanbridge.
“A beautiful garden with amazing views over the Surrey Hills. Worth a visit.”
A picture, which she also uploaded to Instagram, showed her posing with her mother, saying: “Me and Mumma! Hope I’m as sprightly when I’m 87!”
Back in 2010, Ruth and Julia were interviewed by the Daily Express, with the latter opening up about what it was like growing up with her now famous sister.
“Ruth and I are very different,” Julia said. “She is the confident one — I would gate to be in the limelight like she is — but she has worked her way up and I’m very proud of her.
“I’m three years older but we were very close as little girls. Our father was in the military so we moved all over the world with him.
“When I was eight I was sent to live with my godparents so I could go to school in the UK for a year,” she continued. “that was hard — we missed each other a lot, and later I heard that Ruth kept asking, ‘Where is my sister?’”