'Genuine' Alison Hammond 'feeling the pressure' following Phillip Schofield's This Morning exit
24.05.2023 - 15:59
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Alison Hammond is said to be 'feeling the pressure' following Phillip Schofield's exit from This Morning as she takes on 'greater responsibility. Or at least that is what her body language seems to be suggesting.
The ITV daytime show's usual Friday presenter has stepped in to host the programme at the last minute following Phillip Schofield's decision to quit. The news that the 61-year-old veteran presenter was to 'step back' from the programme after 20 years was announced on Saturday (May 20).
It came after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair. His exit was with 'immediate effect', meaning he appeared for the last time on the programme last Thursday (May 18).
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However, despite ITV confirming Holly, 42, would continue to host the show with other 'members of the This Morning family', she also didn't appear back on the programme after the weekend's news following her decision to take an extra week off work ahead of her pre-planned half-term break next week.
She will therefore return to the helm of the show on June 5 meaning other presenters are having to step in. Alison and her co-host Dermot O'Leary were drafted in to host and opening the first show of the week on Monday (May 24) Alison, 48, and Dermot, 49, appeared sombre as they addressed the news and paid tribute to their now-former colleague.
However, on Wednesday's show, Dermot was nowhere to be seen as the former X Factor host took the day off in order to celebrate his 50th birthday. Instead, Craig Doyle was drafted in to host the programme.
Discussing Alison jumping in to the rescue and fronting the show,