This Morning viewers were quick to determine that Alison Hammond 'runs the show' as she got up close and personal with Bridgerton's leading star. The presenter and her co-host Dermot O'Leary were back at the helm of ITV daytime show on Friday (April 1) when they also revealed that they'll be hosting the show during next week's Easter break as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield take their usual spring break.
But back to the show at hand and the hosting duo were joined in the studio by Jonathan Bailey who is currently being watched the world over in the role of Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's hit show.
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Bridgerton, the racy period drama set around Regency London, returned to the streaming service for a second series last week after its first eight-episode run, released in December 2020, was a huge success and was watched by more than 80 million households worldwide in the first month of its release.
With the first season centering around the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne, who made her debut on the social scene in order to find her husband, which later turned out to be Simon Bassett, aka the Duke of Hastings, the second follows eldest child Anthony and his quest to finally settle down and find a wife.
Jonathan, aka Lord Viscount, appeared on the programme to chat to the hosts about the new series but there was one thing Alison wanted to know about, and that was how they film the 'shakey-shakey' scenes, or those that are more intimate, viewers have come to expect from the hit show.
"I heard you used a netball so you don't touch each other," Alison put to Jonathan. "How did it work? Can we get a demonstration?" she then asked their guest. As he went to answer, Alison shouted to the crew: "Have we got a netball anyone? So we can get a demonstration," with the guest joking: "So we can do some pivots."
The Bridgerton star explained, with a laugh, that they use three barriers for "safety," including a half-inflated netball in the middle during steamy scenes. As he moved in his seat on the famous sofa during his explanation, an excited Alison said: "I thought he was coming over to show me."
Dermot was going to hold his host back but she quickly got up and moved over onto the other side of the sofa with Jonathan, telling him: "I'm ready," before they piled three cushions in between each other and even got to hold hands while Dermot laughed from the other side of the seating before shaking his head after Jonathan spotted his face.
"I just wanna know," Alison exclaimed as Dermot protested: "I get it, you're very thorough on your research." Alison did go to get up from her seat before Jonathan pulled her back and held onto her hands. "This is basically a screen test," the actor said.
"How is she doing?" Dermot asked as Alison said she just needs some lines. And Jonathan had the ultimate compliment. "I'm knocked off my feet," he said before they all burst into laughter.
And This Morning viewers were quick to comment on the exchange.
@Andrewclink7 tweeted: "Alison totally runs this show #ThisMorning."
"LOL @ Alison Hammond fan girling over lord viscount … tbh I would too, he’s lovely! #thismorning," @lilsunshinesez said.
@soIdierbxy commented: "P***ing myself at Alison’s reaction to everything jonathan bailey is doing, because SAME GIRL #thismorning."
"Oh my god @AlisonHammond is giving me life today! #thismorning #BRIDGERTON," @lucys_portraits shared.
@Cogs39 added: "Not jealous at all of Alison getting to cosy up with Jonathan Bailey on #ThisMorning With the #bridgerton3 barriers between them of course."
After the show returned from an ad break, Dermot revealed that his co-host got a bit closer to Jonathan before he left. She was able to have full contact with no barriers with the Netflix star, saying she was "all over him" before they showed a clip of her and Jonathan dancing, Bridgerton-style, in the studio.
