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, according to a body language expert, the TV star appeared 'very confident' as she took on 'greater responsibility' during today’s This Morning - but also showed that she has 'a lot of pressure on her shoulders'.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair, body language expert Darren Stanton explained how Alison appears to be 'feeling the pressure' following Phillip’s exit after displaying 'awkwardness'. He said: "Alison is a very confident woman. She’s been with This Morning for a very long time.
"However, as Phillip and Holly have been the main presenters for so long, I think there is a lot of pressure on Alison’s shoulders. Whether she is presenting with Craig or Dermot, she appears to be the stronger person in the dynamic - but I can tell she feels the pressure as the most prevalent person in the running.
"When you look at Alison’s presenting, she tends to clasp and lock her hands a lot when she’s reading from the autocue. Then, she will release them, and bring them together again or place them in front. These are all pacifying gestures, which is what we do when we feel awkward. Overall, Alison is very confident, but it’s clear she is feeling the pressure now.”
Darren also shared how Alison's infamous infectious laugh 'is genuine' and the 'opposite of disingenuous'. He said: "Alison is often very loud and laughing when we see her on the telly, and I can tell it is all genuine with her. She has a very infectious laugh, which people tend to like, as it’s enjoyable to watch someone who is genuinely happy and joyous.
"No matter who she is interacting with, she is open and honest with her feelings. When we see Alison smiling or laughing, we see crow’s feet - which are known as laugh lines. It’s a genuine signal of happiness and feeling content. You normally can tell when someone is putting on an act if their voice cracks or the pitch of their voice goes higher. But Alison doesn’t show this, she’s very persistent and is the opposite of disingenuous."
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