Alison Hammond is returning to screens on Tuesday, 6 October, in a pre-recorded episode of The Great British Bake Off, following a health scare during Friday's This Morning.
The presenter had been hosting Friday's This Morning with Dermot O'Leary when she was seen clutching her chest and escorted out of the studio. Dermot explained her absence by saying she was feeling "unwell" and would not be returning to the programme that day.
Alison's hospital update
Alison later took to social media from hospital to reassure viewers. "I know you're all worried about me," she said. "Honestly, I am fine. First of all, I'm getting my old ticker checked out."
She continued: "I had a little bit of a palpitation, and now I'm getting it all checked out. But I think I'm OK. I'm hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that."
She thanked viewers for their messages and apologised for leaving the show, saying: "I would never normally do that. I would never leave a TV show, so you know I wasn't very well. But hopefully I'm going to be all right. The doctors are so lovely, and they're checking me out, and hopefully everything's going to be fine."
All-clear and response to comments
In a later update, Alison said she "had a massive panic attack on live TV," but got the all-clear on her heart after tests. "It felt very real to me. I'm really new to panic attacks, so I need to learn more about it," she added.
She also responded to comments made by Katie Hopkins, writing: "I'm still a Chumba womba babs !! I thought it was a heart attack it was very scary. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, even you cos you are beautiful on inside and out."
Return to Bake Off
Alison hosts The Great British Bake Off with Noel Fielding, with Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood judging the amateur bakers. She replaced Matt Lucas as presenter on the Channel 4 programme in 2023.
The Great British Bake Off continues tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.
