Judi James’s body language analysis of Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond on This Morning

Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond “leaned on each other for support” as they addressed the Phillip Schofield scandal in an “excruciating” opening of This Morning, a body language expert said today.

Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting to having an ‘ill-advised, but not illegal’ affair with a young male colleague.

The scandal deepened last night when former This Morning doctor, Dr. for whistle blowing.

On today’s episode, the show’s stand-in hosts tried to muffle the backlash with a short aside for the papers’ daily review — which have splashed the line across their front pages.

Body language specialist Judi James described the moment as “excruciating,” telling MailOnline, “Alison and Dermot performed a very telling gesture of unity and mutual support as they made eye contact while doing the kind of tough hand grips gladiators might have.” used before entering the arena.

Ms James said of this moment: ‘Dermot performed an embarrassing act of self-diminishment by drawing his upper arms into his torso and cramming his hands between his legs’

“It looked moving and showed how much they needed each other for support on this challenging morning.”

O’Leary appeared to be referring to the claims of “toxicity” when he hosted Monday’s episode of the show, saying: “We all know we’re in the news right now and of course we appreciate that, but only from both of us , the whole team here, the crew, the guys downstairs, we’re happy to make this show for all of you.’

Co-presenter Hammond added: “We really do and that’s exactly what we’re going to do, we’ll keep doing that.”

Gyles Brandreth, who is in the studio watching the day’s news reports, said: ‘We are very happy to be here, can I say that?

‘This is a happy place to work, I love coming here and have done so since I started here. We are happy people in a happy place.’

Mrs. James analyzed the moment and said, “When Dermot began with an emphatic ‘Now…’ his head dropped and his eyebrows raised. “We’re in the news right now…” saw Alison nod and bare her bottom teeth in what seemed like a micro gesture of anger.

”’We love making this show for you” was Dermot’s rebound phrase as he clapped his hands and Alison made a cutting gesture with her right hand to suggest she wanted to stay in control.

“The low point came when Gyles Brandreth tried to step in to help them once they were on the bench. Trying to sound like some kind of jolly dad, he said it was “A nice place to work,” after which Dermot hid his face behind his mug in a completely cut-off gesture that left only his tired-looking eyes. and Alison looked at the table as if she wasn’t willing to share her feelings at all.

Dermot performed an embarrassing act of self-diminishment, pulling his upper arms into his torso and cramming his hands between his legs as if trying to make himself look as small as possible. As he hugged himself, Alison’s expression was sad.’

Ms James said when Gyles Brandreth called This Morning ‘A happy place to work’, O’Leary ‘hid his face behind his mug in a completely cut off gesture’

It comes as Eamonn Holmes today labeled Schofield “delusional” after the host under fire issued a statement insisting there had been “no toxicity” at This Morning.

In a bombing raid today, Schofield, 61, attacked those who had alleged there was toxicity behind the scenes at the program, accusing them of holding a grudge.

Holmes – who previously helped present This Morning but now works for GB News – has since issued a scathing reply to the statement, saying that if Schofield was ‘looking for a fight’ then he had ‘picked the wrong person’.

The 63-year-old tweeted: ‘Schofield has just issued a delusional statement.

Like Holly, he puts it on Insta Stories, so if it goes wrong, there’s no record after 24 hours. I’m reluctant to give the liar any more publicity, but believe me, Pip, if you’re picking a fight, you’ve picked the wrong person!’

Holmes has been Schofield’s critic for several years, believing he would get his own “credit” for the way he has treated others – including wife Ruth Langsford.

It comes as This Morning’s former GP, Dr Ranj Singh, lashed out at the show’s ‘toxic’ culture, claiming last night that two years ago when he worked there, he raised concerns about ‘bullying and discrimination’ and then felt that he was ‘managed’. for whistle blowing.

Schofield addressed the claims in a statement on Instagram today, writing, “Now that I’m no longer working on This Morning, I’m free to say this.

“I hope you’ve noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.

“This Morning IS the best show to work on, with the best people. In all the years I worked there, there was no toxicity. You can listen to those persistently loud voices if you want.

“But the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know it IS a family of amazing, talented, kind, hard-working people.”

For the first time since leaving the show today, Schofield spoke out against those ‘with a grudge against me’

Holmes said if Schofield was ‘looking for a fight’ he ‘picked the wrong person’

In a statement yesterday, Dr Ranj said the “problems” at This Morning “go far beyond” the host.

He said, “I was on the show for 10 years and I really loved and appreciated working there.

Over time, however, I became increasingly concerned about what went on behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were treated.

“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know that the problems with TM (This Morning) go way beyond him.

“It takes more than one person to create a culture.”

Dr. Ranj said he had raised concerns with senior executives at ITV as he had been heavily involved in “diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects” across the channel.

“Then I noticed I was being used less and less,” he continued.

“I even took my concerns straight to the top of ITV: the culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer in line with ITV values, and I felt that because I whistled I was being led out.

“But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, especially in hindsight and when the ‘those in power’ control the narrative.

“As we’ve seen, no assessment or research is foolproof.”

The doctor said he was confident things would be addressed and changes would be made, but that he hasn’t worked on the show since, adding that two years after filing complaints “it still hurts do’.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Dr Ranj Singh said he had ‘thought long and hard’ before delving into the ongoing scandal

The television doctor confirmed that he had taken his concerns about the behavior of editors and senior producers to ITV and subsequently seen his screen time drop.

In a blow to ITV, This Morning’s biggest sponsor, Arnold Clark, has announced it will not be renewing its existing multimillion-pound deal with the channel in the autumn as planned.

The car dealer’s multi-year deal with This Morning started in September 2021, but the car dealer has confirmed it will not be renewed when the contract expires later this year.

A source told The Sun: ‘There is a lot of speculation about the future of This Morning and some staff are worried about their jobs.

“Phil’s admission of cheating has plunged ITV into a crisis it has never faced before.

‘It is common knowledge internally that they have lost over £2 million in sponsorship deals since Phil’s affair became public.

Arnold Clark, main sponsor of This Morning, is also reconsidering his position.

“Brands don’t think ITV is a safe bet at the moment.”

An ITV spokesperson said: ‘This Morning’s current show sponsorship runs until the autumn and no sponsor has pulled out of ITV.’