Alison Hammond has apologised for ‘making light’ of audiences singing along to musicals during a segment on This Morning following reports of a ‘mini riot’ during a performance of The Bodyguard at Manchester's Palace Theatre. Alison 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 actors are performing on stage.
The discussion during Wednesday's episode, ahead of the disruption on Friday night, was widely slammed on social media. 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 in other cities.
"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, and Dermot chuckled: "This is great."
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Alison said: "I mean, I can't believe it. I'd be devastated, I'm not even going to go to that show now." And Vanessa said: "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 with @HolderSuzan saying: "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 said: "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."
Another actor @char_jaconelli wrote: "Wish you’d have actual workers from theatre on to explain why this is completely inappropriate. This discussion in this way is going to create even more horrendous theatre behaviours. There is a difference between concerts & musicals. SIDE EYE." And CBBC star Chris Johnson said: "This is the dumbest take ever. People haven’t paid to hear the person sat behind them sing."
On Sunday Alison wrote: ‘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."
She added: "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 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." The 48-year-old concluded: "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."
Friday night's performance of The Bodyguard had to be halted and police were called to the Oxford Street venue when 'staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance' and two women were captured on video 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".
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 'confused and angry' theatre-goers spoke over the music and questioned what was happening. Bosses at the Palace Theatre said 'disruptive customers refused to stay seated' and 'spoilt the performance for others.'
In full, the statement, released on Saturday, said: "The performance of The Bodyguard at The Palace Theatre, Manchester was stopped at 9.40pm last night and not continued. We are disappointed that the last 10 minutes of the show needed to be cancelled due to disruptive customers refusing to stay seated and spoiling the performance for others.
"We are grateful to our venue teams for dealing with these difficult circumstances in a professional and calm way, and to Greater Manchester Police for their assistance. Future performances will continue as planned and we ask that customers are considerate towards the cast, fellow audience members and theatre team so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful entertainment on stage."
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