Holmes and Phillips have worked together for nine years

The 45-year-old Belfast-born presenter said he was the "luckiest man in the world" to work for GMTV since it first went on air in January 1993.

Co-host Fiona Phillips, who had worked with Holmes for nine years, will remain with the show.

Phillips joined GMTV's other presenters - including Lorraine Kelly - on the sofa for a final farewell to Holmes.

Television commitments

He was presented with a cake iced with figures of himself and Phillips, with a message that read: "Bye Bye Eamonn."

Phillips praised Holmes' compassion, wit and passion for the job and thanked him for all he had taught her.

Holmes told viewers: "I used to say 'see you in the morning' but I won't."

Current GMTV presenters, Ben Shepherd and Andrew Castle, will share presenting duties with Phillips.

Holmes announced in February he planned to leave the show, saying increasing radio and television commitments and business opportunities had led to his decision.

VE concert

Holmes also presents the BBC One show the National Lottery Jet Set, has his own Saturday morning show on Radio Five Live and writes a newspaper column.

He will be seen on BBC One next month hosting a live commemorative concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VE day on 8 May.

It also emerged on Wednesday that Holmes will, is getting divorced from his wife Gabrielle, from whom he split almost a decade ago.

The couple have three children, Declan, 15, Rebecca, 14, and Niall, 11.

Holmes has another son, three-year-old Jack, with his partner, TV presenter Ruth Langsford.

He said: "Gabrielle and I have been apart for almost 10 years. It was hardly a surprise to anyone, least of all us."