Alison Hammond has come under fire from viewers over remarks she made during her latest appearance on This Morning. The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV daytime show on Friday (February 17) alongside Dermot O'Leary.
Former X Factor host Dermot was reunited with his usual Friday co-host after hosting the show for the rest of the week alongside Josie Gibson while Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby enjoyed their half-term break.
After kicking off the show, Alison, 48, and Dermot, 49, sat down to chat through the latest news headlines with Gyles Brandreth and Ateh Jewel. One of the stories they discussed was whether their should be more neighbourhood police like those seen in the hit BBC One drama Happy Valley, which came to a nail-biting end earlier this month.
READ MORE: Alison Hammond says she can't go live on ITV This Morning without Dermot O'Leary doing one thing
But Alison's next remarks caused some viewers to speak out. "I am a little bit disappointed as a black woman that I've never been stopped and searched," the former Big Brother star said turning to Dermot before a slightly awkward pause from her co-stars.
Alison then continued: "I am absolutely devastated by it. Gutted." Picking up on the silence, Gyles chipped in: "You're asking for trouble now." Alison then burst out laughing as she added: "It's never happened and I am 40."
"The whole of the West Midlands Police are convening right now," Dermot remarked as his co-host repeated: "I have never been stopped." Gyles then joked: "We won't be seeing you this time next week. You'll be in the nick."
But the comments caused concern among some tuning in. @CamdenDadsGroup said: "@AlisonHammond Please never joke about stop and search the way you did on @thismorning! This subject should not to be trivialised, it’s a serious thing."
@JimmyFunky wrote: "Alison has absolutely no brain to mouth filter. #ThisMorning." @selz_j posted: "Still stuck on Alison saying she's jealous that she's never been stopped and searched. I mean has she seen the videos of what can happen to people who are?? #ThisMorning." @memakingmidlife tweeted: added: "Oh dear, #alisonhammond You're "a little bit disappointed that as a black woman (you've) never been stopped & searched"? And then collapsed in laughter about it on #ThisMorning."
The Manchester Evening News has approached ITV for comment.
Ending the latest episode of This Morning, Dermot teased what was coming up on Monday's show which will include all the gossip from this weekend's Baftas. And Dermot wished his co-star look after it was revealed in January that Alison will be hosting the annual awards show with Oscar-nominated actor Richard E Grant.
She said: at the time: "I'm so excited to be hosting this year’s EE Bafta Film Awards with THE Richard E Grant. We’re going to have a lot of fun bringing the glitz and glam of backstage to everyone watching at home around the world. From hanging out with the stars to celebrating the biggest night for cinema, and joining the discussions with film fans, get ready for good vibes only."
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