Eamonn Holmes was left drenched and freezing after Sir Ian McKellen and Ruth Langsford dumped buckets of ice water over his head on ITV’s This Morning.

The broadcaster was taking part in the ice bucket challenge in aid of motor neurone disease, which was a social media phenomenon in 2014.

Eamonn pledged to complete the challenge while presenting a Pride of Britain Award to Paula Maguire, a midwife from Barnsley who brought the challenge to the UK. Sir Ian, who was also presenting the award, asked: “Can I come along?”

Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes at the Pride of Britain Awards
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes at the Pride of Britain Awards (Ian West/PA)

Speaking over the phone, Paula advised that Eamonn, 55, should go topless for the challenge, although he opted to wear a navy polo shirt.

Out on the balcony of the building on London’s Embankment, the veteran 76-year-old actor was shown advising an apprehensive Eamonn not to back out: “The nation would know, darling, they all heard you promise it. No, I think you’d better be a brave boy.”

He added: “I’ve done it, it’s quite bracing,” giving the broadcaster the option of having him and Ruth each throw a bucket in his face, or tip them over his head.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Sir Ian asked after dumping out the water. As a stunned-looking Eamonn was unable to speak, the actor added: “Eamonn Holmes speechless – we’ve all longed for that.”

Ruth, 55, then gave her husband and co-presenter a kiss on the head and offered to have Sir Ian present the show if Eamonn comes down with pneumonia.

Asked to give his three nominations for who should complete the challenge within the next 24 hours, he nominated Sir Alex Ferguson (twice) and This Morning editor Martin Frizell.