This Morning has confirmed Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary's future amid claims of a 'strained' relationship between the pair behind the scenes. The show's usual Friday hosts were thrust in front of the camera after the Phillip Schofield scandal broke back in May.
The ITV daytime programme's former star quit the show after more than 20 years on the famous sofa, claiming the show had 'become the story' due to reports he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes. But less than a week later and Phillip, 61, confirmed he'd quit ITV altogether while admitting to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger ITV colleague.
While Holly took an additional week's break from the show following the news, Alison, 48, and Dermot, 50, stepped in. And Alison was later seen breaking down in tears when she commented for the first time on what had happened after her former co-star gave his first TV interview at the start of June.
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As they showed footage from an interview Schofield had done with the BBC's Amol Rajan in which the former TV star spoke about the effect on his mental health, Alison broke down as she said: "I loved Phillip Schofield. It's weird because I still love him. As a family, we're all really struggling to process everything.
“My mum always said use your bible as your sat nav. He without sin cast the first stone. I don't want to say anything bad because I am in conflict." Alison's emotional display then continued as she said: "There is only so much a man can take."
However, Alison and Dermot have since returned to their usual Friday slot on This Morning with Dermot also enjoying a two-week hosting stint alongside Holly. But rumours have begun to swirl that recent events have forced things to become difficult between Alison and Dermot.
That has, however, been denied by This Morning bosses as they confirmed the pair will now cover for Holly as she takes her usual summer break beginning on Monday (July 10). In a statement to MailOnline show bosses said: "Alison and Dermot will be hosting together all of next week as, from Monday, Holly will be on a usual and planned break over the summer."
Alison and Dermot took over hosting Friday's This Morning from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford in January 2021. There have previously been rumours that the pair weren't gelling behind the scenes but have since gone on to disprove those claims. In June last year, a spokesman for This Morning were forced to confirm that the duo have become firm friends - and even socialise away from work together.
A This Morning spokesman told the Mirror : "Despite the challenges of starting their on screen partnership during a pandemic, Alison and Dermot have developed a firm friendship and their chemistry has proved a ratings success. Since the pandemic ended, the pair are now able to enjoy socialising together post the show and have enjoyed spending time with each other's families too."
