Alison Hammond had This Morning viewers checking their watches as she signed off from the mid-week episode. 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) 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). But Holly 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. The 42-year-old will therefore return to the helm of the show on June 5.
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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.
The Irish presenter, who is best known as a presenter for BT Sport where he covers the Rugby Union and MotoGP, is no stranger to hosting the ITV daytime show having joined the growing list of presenters on the show last year.
After a busy show, which included the stars of Midsomer Murder Neil Dudgeon and Fiona Dolman on the famous sofa. English Rugby Union coach Kevin Sinfield also appeared to speak about the emotional moment he carried his former teammate Rob Burrow over the Leeds Marathon finish line, as he appeared via video link on the programme with his wife Lindsay.
But as the show came to an end, Craig and Alison appeared to stumble as they teased what viewers could expect on Thursday (May 25) leading to Alison telling viewers to "have a good evening". And the remark, albeit kind, baffled This Morning viewers.
@Robtheenby asked: "Did Alison just say 'Have a great evening?' #ThisMorning." @mostlystupid posted: "'Have a great evening'?! Did you forget where you were, Alison? #ThisMorning." @EnfieldGarry said: "Evening, it’s the afternoon Alison. #ThisMorning." @Borisnose2 added: "12.27pm is the evening now? #thismorning."
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