Dermot O'Leary has used strong language to dismiss persistent rumors of a rift between him and co-host Alison Hammond, calling the speculation 'bulls**t' in a new interview.
Presenters Address Long-Standing Feud Speculation
O'Leary and Hammond, who have hosted ITV's This Morning on Fridays since 2021, addressed the ongoing rumors during a candid conversation with Radio Times. The duo stepped in as temporary hosts following the departures of Phillip Schofield in May 2023 and Holly Willoughby later that year.
O'Leary, 53, explained how the show's own headlines became a daily topic during a turbulent period. 'We were doing a show that, through no fault of our own, was on the cover of newspapers for 50 days on the trot,' he said. He added that he ignores specific moments highlighted in the press: 'We'll finish an item, I'll look one way and Alison will look the other, and the papers will be like, "Bust-up on This Morning!" It's all bulls**t.'
Hammond on Authenticity and Live TV
Hammond emphasized the importance of being genuine on air. 'You've got to be free to say what you want, and give your opinions. If you start editing yourself, you'll lose the live element that people love,' she told the publication.
The pair admitted they have hosted the show while being 'unhappy' with each other, but only on a handful of occasions. Hammond claimed she could fake their chemistry even if they weren't speaking, but O'Leary disagreed, saying they couldn't pull that off.
Context of This Morning's Rocky Period
The interview comes years after a series of scandals rocked This Morning. In September 2022, Schofield and Willoughby faced backlash over 'queue-gate,' accused of skipping the queue to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. ITV defended them, but criticism persisted.
In April 2023, Schofield's brother Timothy was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy. Schofield said he 'no longer' had a brother. By May 2023, reports emerged that Schofield and Willoughby were 'barely speaking,' though they publicly denied it. Schofield stepped down on May 20, 2023, after more than 20 years, saying, 'Recently, This Morning itself has become the story.'
Days later, Schofield admitted to an affair with a much younger male runner on the show, calling it 'unwise but not illegal.' He resigned from ITV, and Willoughby accused him of lying to her. ITV's review found no evidence of the affair until Schofield's admission.
O'Leary and Hammond's Bond
Despite the challenges, O'Leary and Hammond maintain a strong relationship. O'Leary said, 'I don't like the idea of making Ali unhappy. One, because she's such a good friend and two, because she's basically a Jamaican mother, and you don't want to get on the wrong side of her.' He added, 'I think I've taught Alison to take life a bit more seriously, and she's taught me to take it a bit less seriously.'
Hammond joked that O'Leary has made her unhappy 'maybe 700 times,' though O'Leary estimated it at 'two or three times.'
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am.
