Kate Lawler did not hold back as she blasted Katie Hopkins, branding her a 'bigot' after the media personality mocked Alison Hammond. The moment came at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2026, where Lawler took to the stage in place of Hammond, who was absent while taking a break from the spotlight for her mental health.
Last week, Alison, 51, was rushed away from the This Morning set by co-host Dermot O'Leary and was seen clutching her chest. She has since confirmed she was having a panic attack, having feared that she was having a heart attack.
Lawler's On-Stage Takedown
In Alison's place, Big Brother legend Kate, 46, gave a speech and took aim at Katie, 51, who had gone on a fatphobic rant about Alison's panic attack, complaining that the presenter had been given medical support. 'Having that moment happen so publicly was incredibly difficult,' Kate shared. 'Despite what Katie Hopkins might think.'
Metro was in the audience when Kate flipped her middle finger and pulled a face over Katie's cruel video, prompting the crowd to cheer. The radio presenter then got incredibly close to the microphone and blasted Katie as a 'c**t'. The roar from those watching was deafening, with the estimated 700 guests at the packed Camden Roundhouse all erupting into applause.
Defending a Friend
Kate continued: 'I've spoken to Alison since. It was one of the scariest things she's gone through. She didn't think she was having a panic attack, she thought she was having a heart attack. So go crawl under the hole you came out of, you bigot.' More applause and laughter went up as she clarified she was calling Katie a 'bigot' and not her Big Brother pal.
Alison's shock on-air emergency left viewers horrified as she could be heard panting and retching off-camera. She was taken to hospital but was discharged the morning after, telling fans her 'old ticker' was checked as she was having palpitations. A panic attack is caused by a misfiring of a person's fight-or-flight response, leaving the sufferer unable to breathe and often mimicking heart attack symptoms.
Hopkins' Comments and Hammond's Response
Katie hopped on social media and called it a 'minor panic attack' before making some vile comments about Alison's weight. The former Apprentice contestant said she used to be 'a significant chumba womba' and 'about the size of a brick s**tshed'. Fans immediately defended Alison against Katie's rant, which minimised the impact a panic attack can have on the person suffering.
Alison had the classiest response and commented on the Instagram Reel: '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 ♥️'
At the Attitude Awards, she also kept it classy, with Kate reading out her lengthy speech where she discussed being 'vulnerable' and thanked the wider LGBTQ+ community for the award. Alison commented on the video of Kate's speech, saying it 'has made my year 😍'. Alongside Alison, other winners included Donatella Versace, David Furnish, The Pet Shop Boys, and Jordan Stephens.
