Alison Hammond has broken her silence in an apology after comments she made on This Morning about singing in theatres.
The This Morning presenter issued her heartfelt apologies to anyone she may have offended with her comments on the subject after "making light" of audiences singing along to musicals during the morning ITV programme last week.
The 48-year-old bake-off host has said she is "truly sorry" and vowed to "do better in the future" after the popular presenter and her colleagues Dermot O’Leary and Vanessa Feltz discussed whether audience members should be allowed to sing along while professional theatre actors perform on stage.
It comes after reports of a ‘mini riot’ during a performance of The Bodyguard at Manchester's Palace Theatre over the weekend.
The discussion during Wednesday's episode, ahead of the disruption on Friday night, was widely slammed on social media according to reports by Manchester Evening News.
The trio reacted in disbelief as they discussed The Palace's clampdown on singing during The Bodyguard, which was introduced after "anti-social behaviour" from audiences during shows across the country.
"Staff are taking this very, very seriously and inflicting these rules and they are regularly walking up the aisles before the performance and during the intervals with no singing signs," explained Alison, whilst Dermot chuckled: "This is great."
Alison said: "I mean, I can't believe it. I'd be devastated, I'm not even going to go to that show now."
Vanessa quipped: "Isn't it the whole point of going to a musical you know, that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don't know the words you just make them up? Isn't that what everybody does very very loudly while eating an ice cream?"
There was a backlash to their comments as people took to social media to air their views as they slammed it being "completely inappropriate" for people to disrupt performances with singing.
One person said: "Please invite musical performers onto @thismorning asap to explain to @AlisonHammond @VanessaOnAir @radioleary & viewers why singing along in theatre is completely inappropriate."
Actor Gary Webster added: "Oh dear. V wrong on this one I'm afraid @thismorning There are shows that are specific for singalongs...No problem! The rest of the time 99.5% of the audience want to hear the brilliant talent on stage and not the out of tune, off key, untalented off! Enough said."
And CBBC star Chris Johnson said: "This is the dumbest take ever. People haven’t paid to hear the person sat behind them sing."
Over the weekend Alison, who will be fronting as presenter alongside Noel Fielding for the Great British Bake Off later this year, addressed the concerns.
She wrote on Sunday: "After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday’s show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the utmost respect for.
"I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I’m truly sorry."
"I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance. I was wrong in what I said and I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past few days and believe I was wrong," she added.
She continued: "On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family.
"I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester which has made me sick to my stomach.
"Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future," the 48-year-old concluded.
It comes following Friday night's performance of The Bodyguard was forced to a halt after police were called to the Oxford Street venue after staff reported a number of people in the audience caused a "disturbance" resulting in two women being dragged out of the upper circle of the theatre.
Theatre-goers took to social media claiming the show had to be stopped early after audience members began "trying to sing over the cast" which was caught on video.
One person said: "Cannot believe what I’ve just witnessed at the palace theatre watching the Bodyguard. A mini-riot after the show was stopped because audience members were trying to sing over the cast."
Video captured one audience member "screaming" over the song I Will Always Love You, while other theatre-goers were left "confused and angry" spoke over the music and questioned what was happening.
Palace Theatre bosses said "disruptive customers refused to stay seated" and "spoilt the performance for others."
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