Alison Hammond has apologised for comments she made on This Morning regarding disruption to a stage show.
On the ITV show, which aired on April 6, Alison and Vanessa Feltz discussed whether audience members should be allowed to sing along at a musical after the Palace Theatre in Manchester banned singing at their production of The Bodyguard.
The presenters, including Dermot O'Leary, laughed at the notion. Vanessa also suggested "the whole point" of going to a musical was to sing "very very loudly while eating an ice cream".
READ MORE: Video shows moment audience member 'screams' over song at The Bodyguard musical
During the show, Alison said: "Should you be allowed to sing along in the audience at a show? That's the question being challenged by a theatre in Manchester who have banned audiences from singing at their production of The Bodyguard musical."
She went on: "Staff are taking this very, very seriously and inflicting these rules. They are regularly walking up and down the aisles before the performance and during the interval with 'no singing' signs' I mean, I can't believe it, I'd be devastated."
Dermot could also be seen laughing and Vanessa said: "Isn't the whole point of going to a musical that you know, that you sing along to all the bits you know, and then when you don't know the words, you just make them up. I mean, isn't that what everybody does? Very, very loudly while eating an ice cream."
Viewers slammed the segment and called it "one-sided" and the comments "thoughtless". On Friday - after the This Morning segment - chaotic scenes unfolded at the Palace theatre.
The show was halted due to what theatre bosses described as "disruptive audience members". People reportedly repeatedly sang over the cast and "caused a disturbance" - despite producers asking them not to sing and installing signs around the venue.
Police were called to the theatre and two women were captured on video footage being dragged out of the venue's upper circle. Today, Alison issued a statement on Twitter apologising for her comments.
She said: "After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday's show, I want to apologise to anyone I offended, especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the upmost 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 on 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."
Alison went on to say she had attended a performance of the GBBO the musical and "loved it".
The statement added: "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 on 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. Alison x."
Many people took to Twitter to praise Alison for her apology. Twitter user @laursbobbins said: "Honestly, you’re glorious, Alison. I love this."
@NanaPimms added: "Alison you are a class act, what a strong and sincere apology." User @tragicheartss also said: "Well done for speaking out Alison. We all make mistakes sometimes but it takes a lot of courage to speak out, admit to it and try to make amends. Huge respect."
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