Dermot O’Leary speaks out about hosting This Morning with Alison Hammond, admitting ‘viewers can tell if the two presenters don’t get along’
Dermot O’Leary has spoken out about presenting This Morning and how he found it difficult to host alongside Alison Hammond for the first time.
The television personality, 50, admitted he didn’t know Alison, 48, before appearing to front the show and so it took time for them to get started as a presenting duo.
Dermot also alluded to This Morning’s huge stir this year after Phillip Schofield stepped down when he confessed to having an affair with a younger male colleague.
Seemingly referring to the end of the TV partnership between Holly Willoughby and Phillip, Dermot said that ‘viewers can if two presenters don’t get along’.
“This is only my third year on This Morning, but there’s 35 years of history to live up to. Why has it taken so long? We reflect the country; our stories can be frivolous, serious or uplifting,” Dermot said The times.
Honest: Dermot O’Leary has spoken out about presenting This Morning and how he found it difficult to host alongside Alison Hammond for the first time
‘Now we’re like family’: The television personality, 50, admitted he didn’t know Alison, 48, before hosting the show and so it took time for them to get started as a presenting duo
‘The presenters also make the difference. If two people don’t get along, the viewers can see it.
“Alison Hammond, my co-host, and I didn’t really know each other when we started working together, but now we’re like family. I think there’s honesty in that.’
It comes as Alison, Holly and This Morning took a huge hit when the show lost its 12-year winning streak at the NTAs following the Phillip Schofield scandal.
The show has won the Daytime award for over a decade, but after the Phillip scandal, the program lost to The Repair Show.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly claimed their 22nd NTA at the annual ceremony following a successful return to the Australian jungle with ITV1 juggernaut I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
But the public seemed to be hoping that Alison would take home the award for her presenting role on This Morning, when she left in the wake of the furore after Phillip stepped down over his affair with a younger male colleague.
The TV presenter, 48, got louder cheers than the Geordie duo and simply shrugged when she was defeated.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday’s This Morning, Holly remained very positive, simply thanking fans for their support and praising The Repair Shop.
“Thank you so much for voting for us and shortlisting us, so always thank you for your love and support,” she gushed.
Speaking of The Repair Shop host Jay Blades, Holly raved about his kindness and shared how they shared a hug after his win.
She said, “A big congratulations to The Repair Shop, well done. Jay Blades, just a special hug and lots of love to him, he ran over and gave us all a big hug which I thought was classy and beautiful, I didn’t want to let go.’
While Craig Doyle added of the occasion, “Lovely man, lovely atmosphere in that part of the room, it’s like a wonderful Christmas.”
Oh dear! It comes as Alison, Holly Willoughby and This Morning took a huge hit as the show lost its 12-year winning streak at the NTAs
Scandal: Dermot also hinted at This Morning’s massive turmoil this year after Phillip Schofield resigned when he confessed to having an affair with a younger male colleague