Alison Hammond has revealed she suffered a panic attack on live TV, prompting her sudden exit from This Morning. The TV star shared the news after undergoing tests at hospital.
Sudden exit during pet segment
The Great British Bake Off star was joined by Dermot O'Leary on the ITV talk show on Friday morning (October 2). During a segment about pets, she suddenly got up and left the show's couch.
With Dr Scott Miller continuing the segment, Alison could be seen clutching her chest as Dermot escorted her away from the sofa. Viewers heard heavy breathing and a loud retch off-camera.
Dermot's on-air update
Following an ad break, Dermot told viewers: “Welcome back to This Morning, Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she’s just had to duck out. Hopefully she’ll be back.”
Former X Factor host Dermot later told viewers that Alison would not be returning, stating “Ali’s feeling a little unwell so I’ll be here for the rest of the show.”
Hospital visit and diagnosis
Taking to her Instagram page several hours later from her hospital bed, Alison sent a message to fans worrying about her well being. She said: "Hello my lovelies, I know you're all worried about me. Honestly, I am fine. I'm getting the old ticker checked out. I had a little bit of a palpitation and now I'm getting it all checked out, but I think I'm okay. I'm hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that."
She added: "I love you all, thank you for all your lovely messages. I'm so sorry I left you, I would never leave a TV show. But no, I wasn't very well... The doctors are so lovely and they're checking me out and hopefully everything's fine. Well, everything is fine! Look, I'm rocking it. Look how good I look, still got my makeup on from This Morning!"
On Saturday afternoon (October 3), Alison shared a new video on her Instagram story. Speaking from her home, she shared that it was found that she had suffered a panic attack following a number of tests.
“Hi everyone, I’m just getting in touch to let you all know that I’m home, I’m safe and I’m feeling so much better. Thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs and bloods. I’m all okay. It’s all clear, which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean the shame of it. It felt really real to me. I’m really new to panic attacks, I need to learn more about it.
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at This Morning who looked after me, all of your messages, Dermot, who has just been incredible," she said. Alison continued: "It's really warmed my heart actually. I didn't want to be on the news or anything like that. This is a new world to me. I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I’ll see you soon. Love you."
Career background
Rising to fame on Big Brother, Alison initially joined This Morning as a roaming entertainment reporter before becoming one of the show's most recognisable faces. She went viral many times thanks to her interviews with stars such as Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford.
Back in 2021, she became a regular main presenter, joining Dermot O'Leary on Fridays as well as during school holidays and bank holidays when normal hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard are away.
