This Morning has been hit with a string of Ofcom complaints after a chat about singing at the theatre led to an outcry. During an episode of the ITV daytime show last week, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary discussed the 'no singing' rules in place during showings of The Bodyguard.
Signs stating "PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SINGING ALONG" were held by staff at the opening night of The Bodyguard last week, which featured in a Manchester Evening News review of the show. It was later revealed that the strict rules needed to be in place due to "disruptive behaviour" at previous dates on this tour with audiences trying to "out-sing" the cast.
A discussion on This Morning during the show's daily ''This Morning's View segment', which sees the hosts and two guests discuss the latest news headlines and other topics, saw Alison, Dermot, Vanessa Feltz and Nick Ferrari touch on whether audience members should be allowed to sing along while professional actors are performing on stage. The chat was widely slammed on social media, however.
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"Staff are taking this very, very seriously and inflicting these rules and they are regularly walking up the aisles before the performance and during the intervals with no singing signs," explained Alison, and Dermot chuckled: "This is great."
Alison said: "I mean, I can't believe it. I'd be devastated, I'm not even going to go to that show now." And Vanessa said: "Isn't it the whole point of going to a musical you know, that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don't know the words you just make them up? Isn't that what everybody does very very loudly while eating an ice cream?"
The chat came back into the spotlight after chaotic scenes in Manchester on Friday, however, following reports of a ‘mini riot’ among those watching during a performance of The Bodyguard at Manchester's Palace Theatre. The show had to be abandoned due to 'disruptive' audience members singing over the top of performers, with police called in.
Ofcom has since confirmed that 66 complaints have been made to them about the discussion on This Morning. The broadcasting watchdog confirmed to the MEN that the complaints it had received were "related to a discussion on a theatre show being halted due to members of the audience singing."
New Bake Off host Alison previously apologised at the weekend for ‘making light’ of audiences singing along to musicals. Alison said she is "truly sorry" and vowed to "do better in the future".
On Sunday (April 9), Alison wrote in a statement posted to social media: "After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday’s show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the utmost 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."
She added: "I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at 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. On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family."
The 48-year-old concluded: "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 in 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."
Dermot then later took to social media after Alison, to address the issue, urging viewers to watch the whole segment on This Morning before passing judgement. Distancing himself from the situation, the presenter wrote: "Evening all... A lot of people commenting about a reaction to a story we covered on This Morning about the 'Bodyguard' show and audiences singing along.'"
The former X Factor host, 49, added: "Could I politely urge anyone passing judgement on the clip to watch the whole interview... as I was actually arguing AGAINST people singing too loudly in theatres. Nothing but love and respect for those treading the boards. Peace and love to all."
He then ended the statement on a light-hearted note, saying: "Now, back to those Easter eggs... Dx" But while Alison's statement was met with praise and support, Dermot came under fire as he defended his part in the conversation had live on the popular programme.
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