Alison Hammond has been left devastated by her This Morning co-star calling it quits on their time on the ITV programme.
The This Morning regular, 48, paid tribute to Ella Bates as she left the programme today.
"I am absolutely devastated that Ella Bates is leaving. She has been a breath of fresh air every single day," an emotional Alison said on Friday.
Ella, who has worked as a digital producer on the morning programme for several years, is embarking on new horizons and Alison hasn't been the only This Morning star to share their sadness over her decision to leave the team.
Alison's co-star, Josie Gibson, also took to social media on Friday to bid farewell to Ella, who has been there with her through thick and thin.
In a gushing post, Josie penned: "The day we all got caught in the rain at @coronationstreet while filming @thismorning and then the sunshine came out. When I say sunshine I mean @ella.bates beautiful face.
"Ella I am so so sad to see you leave us. You lighten up any room with your magical energy.
"You are Golden my friend and your going places with that special energy of yours.
"I know you're going to live out your dreams but we are going to miss you so very much."
Amid the ongoing drama surrounding Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's rumoured fallout, experts now reckon that Ella may be closely followed behind by Phillip.
Phillip risks the chance of being replaced by an ‘all-female’ duo with some viewers hoping that Alison will take over his permanent post and host alongside Holly.
Speaking to Closer Magazine, the PR expert suggested: "There's an outside chance that there could even be a permanent female duo - Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond have proved incredibly popular and the combo of Alison and Holly recently proved very successful.
"If Phil were to leave, they have a bank of fantastic presenters to step in. Viewers love the likes of Joel Dommett, Craig Doyle and Marvin Humes who could match up with Holly," the TV insider added.
The Mirror has reached out to an ITV spokesperson for comment.
