This Morning presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond have spoken out about long-running speculation of a rift between them. The pair, who have hosted the show together since 2021, admitted that the programme's recent turbulent period was 'hard'.
O'Leary said that the show was on newspaper front pages for 50 consecutive days due to scandals, making their job difficult. He dismissed reports of tension on set as 'bulls**t', adding that the media often exaggerates disagreements.
Hammond emphasised the importance of being able to speak freely on live television. 'If you start editing yourself, you'll lose the live element that people love,' she told Radio Times. However, both acknowledged that there have been a handful of occasions when they hosted while unhappy with each other.
The duo also faced criticism in 2022 for allegedly skipping the queue to view the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. ITV issued a statement defending them, but the backlash continued.
O'Leary and Hammond took over as regular Friday hosts after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby left the show. Schofield departed in 2023 following revelations about an affair with a younger colleague, which he had denied for years. Willoughby later stepped down as well.
