Alison Hammond was rushed off the set of This Morning during a live broadcast after falling ill, leaving viewers concerned as she appeared to be in pain.
The 51-year-old presenter was hosting alongside Dermot O'Leary, 53, when the incident occurred. During a phone-in segment led by Dr Scott Miller, who was offering advice to a dog owner, Dermot came into frame and escorted Alison off the set. The Great British Bake Off host could be heard panting and breathing heavily while clutching her chest.
Dermot O'Leary confirms Alison is 'unwell'
Dr Scott continued his segment but was visibly concerned, with a loud retch heard off-camera. Dermot returned to the sofa and later provided an update, confirming she was 'unwell'.
Following an ad break, the former X Factor host said: 'Welcome back to This Morning. Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she's just had to duck out. Hopefully she'll be back.'
When Alison did not return, he informed viewers: 'Ali's feeling a little unwell, so I'll be here for the rest of the show.'
Fans send well-wishes
Alison had been on-screen for just over an hour when she fell ill, with Dermot taking over for the remainder of the show, including the cooking segment and an interview with N-Dubz.
Taking to X, fans sent Alison well-wishes. @Lisalisey87 wrote: 'I hope we get an update regarding Alison soon as that was really worrying to watch. Hopefully she's okay'.
@Momrocks50 added: 'Hope @AlisonHammond Is ok clutching chest and gasping for breath. 🥹 Thinking of you Alison sending 🙏'
'I hope Alison is okay. It sounded like she was either throwing up or having a panic attack. Hope she gets well soon 💗', tweeted @_xpatss.
@MrGerryMcDowell echoed: 'I am very worried about Alison, i hope she is ok, she's a great presenter, i love her'.
Alison Hammond's career and personal life
Since rising to fame on Big Brother in 2002, Alison has become one of the nation's most popular television stars. She joined the This Morning team shortly after her reality debut, appearing as a roving entertainment reporter. In 2021, she became a main co-presenter on Fridays, during school holidays and bank holidays, alongside Dermot.
In recent years, her career has soared, as she and Noel Fielding became the new GBBO hosts on Channel 4 in 2023. The following year, she succeeded the late Paul O'Grady, taking over ITV's For the Love of Dogs. She has also made cameos on shows like Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, RuPaul's Drag Race UK, and The Masked Singer: I'm A Celebrity Special, and hosted the backstage interviews at the 2023 film Baftas.
For the past three years, she has been dating Russian model and massage therapist David Putman, with a 22-year age gap between them. They live together just outside of Birmingham. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: 'I've always had issues with my boyfriends; this one I don't. We get on really well. We love each other. I never have to worry and second-guess how he feels about me. He's wonderful.'
She added that they've had 'lovely holidays' involving 'a lot' of kissing, quipping that his 'healing hands' make for great massages. Admitting that marriage was 'archaic' to her, she said she 'might get engaged' in the future.
She previously told Good Housekeeping: 'I can see how, on paper, you'd notice the age difference. Yes, I am 22 years older than he is. But if you saw us together, you'd understand. People have said to me, "We get it now".'
Alison has a son, aspiring DJ Aidan, with her ex-fiancé Noureddine Boufaied. ITV has been contacted for comment.
