Eamonn Holmes has grown an inch taller since undergoing a double hip replacement earlier this year.

Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes

Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes

This 56-year-old presenter believes he's been given a new lease of life since having the operation 10 weeks ago because not only he is no longer in pain or hobbling around, but he's also added centimetres onto his height.

Speaking to The Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "I am far from the finished deal yet but any pain I have is a different pain, one which will get better. I stand straighter, am an inch taller, I can touch my toes and sit without pain."

The 'This Morning' host was first told he'd need the surgery on his hips when he was just 36 years old, but he refused to go under the knife because of his youthful age.

He said: "The thing was, false hips were associated with being old and decrepit. Perhaps slightly less so today, but certainly back then and in the television industry.

"So I waited and waited, hurt more and more, became more limited in what I could do, until I simply could go on no more. The pain was too much, the inability to stand - whether at a party, or to report on a news story, host a quiz show, to go shopping, play a round of golf, fool around with my kids or even walk the dog - one by one became too much."

Meanwhile, although doctors warned it would take months to make a full recovery, Eamonn is already started showing signs of improvements as he joined his wife Ruth Langsford to present 'This Morning' last Friday.