Eamonn Holmes will use This Morning axing in £250,000 tax bill appeal

EAMONN Holmes will use his axing from ITV’s This Morning in his appeal over a £250,000 tax bill.

He and wife Ruth Langsford were devastated to be dropped from the Friday slot they had held for 14 years to be replaced by Alison Hammond.

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Eamonn Holmes will use his axing from ITV’s This Morning in his appeal over a £250,000 tax bill[/caption]

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Eamonn and wife Ruth Langsford were devastated to be dropped from the Friday slot they had held for 14 years[/caption]

But sources yesterday told The Sun on Sunday Eamonn, 61, will use it as evidence his job was never secure — and it was right he was paid as a freelancer.

It follows a ruling by authorities that presenters should be classed as employees and pay more tax.

A source said: “Eamonn argued all along his job could disappear at any time. Now he has proof.

“While it is upsetting, it has brought new hope he can win his appeal.”

Defending his case last year, Eamonn claimed as a freelancer he was entitled to get ITV payments through his limited company.

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A source said: ‘Eamonn argued all along his job could disappear at any time. Now he has proof.’[/caption]

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The source added: ‘While it is upsetting, it has brought new hope he can win his appeal’[/caption]

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Defending his case last year, Eamonn claimed as a freelancer he was entitled to get ITV payments through his limited company[/caption]

The move, common among TV stars, means he pays corporation tax at 19 per cent rather than 45 per cent income tax.

But HMRC argued he owes seven years of higher rate taxes.

The source went on: “A lot of people in showbiz will be watching this with keen interest, and hoping that Eamonn can win.”