Alison Hammond was heard joking about being 'replaced' on This Morning amid the ongoing claims of a 'rift' behind the scenes between Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. The presenter was back at the helm of the programme on Friday (May 19) alongside Dermot O'Leary.
The pair were back fronting the last edition of the ITV daytime show this week as they usually do but it comes after all eyes were on their colleagues. Holly, 42, and Phillip, 61, who have hosted the ITV daytime show together for 14 years, are reported to be 'barely speaking' behind the scenes.
Claims of issues between the duo have been brewing after the presenters failed to host the programme together for a number of weeks. Phillip recently returned to the show after taking pre-planned leave around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month, with The Sun previously reporting the absence had contributed to a "cooling" of their friendship. Holly herself then was forced to take time out when she was struck down by shingles.
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During their last day fronting the show until next week on Thursday (May 18), viewers wondered what was going on as they tuned into the latest episode to find that Holly and Phillip had been 'replaced'. After the usual opening titles, the camera went to the studio where a grey android figure opened the show saying: "Welcome to your Thursday This Morning.
"This is the UK’s number-one daytime show, presented by Phillip and Holly." It added: "There’s so much coming up on the show today that I can’t wait for you to hear all about it." The camera then panned to show that Holly and Phillip had been sitting at the kitchen's breakfast bar and while they seemed impressed by Ameca, described as the world’s most advanced robot, they were also pretty taken aback.
During Friday's show, as Alison and Dermot kicked off with the latest 'This Morning's View' segment which saw them chatting about the latest headlines with Carol Vorderman and Gyles Brandreth, Alison spoke about the possibility that AI technology could replace her co-stars and herself as presenters in the future.
In a discussion about tech, she made reference to Holly and Phillip as she said: "We could be replaced one day! Remember when Holly and Phil had that robot in with that woman, it was amazing, I couldn't believe it. Presenters could maybe be replaced by AI. It's kind of like a cloning in a way, and you don't actually have to be there."
Later in the programme, a rather unusual tribute was made to Holly. Josie Gibson was seen enjoying the great outdoors in Wales as the hots decided to "chill her out" with a scenic walk through the countryside after previously putting her through all kinds of thrill-seeking tasks.
Josie revealed to viewers that she was on "cloud nine" as she was spending her morning in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park - formerly known as the Brecon Beacons - walking some very sweet Kunekune pigs Feeding the animal as she went 'pig walking' for the segment, Josie said: "This is Holly, and I've nicknamed her Holly Squillaby."
Later on, Josie remarked: "Come on Holly Squillaby into the river, lets cool down. I think Holly has fallen in love with me just like the other Holly."
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