This Morning co-stars Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have given viewers an update on Alison Hammond after she was taken to hospital from the live show last week. Opening Monday's programme, Ben said: "We had a little bit of a scare on Friday..." before Cat continued: "We did. We just wanted to start with some good news about Alison. After she fell unwell during the show, she was taken to the hospital for checks, but now, thankfully, she has been given the all clear."
What happened on Friday's show
On Friday, October 2, the ITV show was halfway through a segment about pets when it quickly cut to adverts. When the programme returned, Dermot O'Leary told viewers that Alison was "feeling a little unwell" and "had to duck out". He said he hoped she would return to finish the broadcast, but later added: "Ali's feeling a little unwell so I'll be here for the rest of the show."
Alison's own words on her condition
Alison, 51, later assured fans she was fine in an Instagram video filmed while lying down and wearing a hospital gown. "Hello, my lovelies. I know you're all worried about me," she said. "Honestly, I am fine, first of all, but I'm getting my 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 OK. I'm hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that."
She also thanked her 1.9 million followers for their messages, adding: "I'm so sorry I left you. I would never normally do that. I would never leave a TV show – so you know I wasn't very well. Hopefully I'm going to be all right. The doctors are so lovely, and they're checking me out, and hopefully everything's going to be fine. I love you."
All clear after hospital checks
On Saturday, October 3, Alison revealed she had suffered a "massive panic attack" on live TV. In another Instagram video, she said: "Hi everyone. I'm just getting in touch to let you all know 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, 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." She continued: "But it felt very real to me. I'm really new to panic attacks, so I need to learn more about it..."
When This Morning returned to air on Monday, October 5, Ben added: "She's home and resting and already feeling a lot better." The pair then played out the video Alison shared on social media over the weekend, before sharing their love to their friend and co-star.
