Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary put on a united front amid reports of a “strained relationship” on Monday’s This Morning.
The ITV duo, who usually host the programme every Friday, were in good spirits helming the mid-morning stalwart as Holly Willoughby began the first week of her two-month summer break.
Amid reports on an apparent rift, Hammond, 48, and O’Leary, 50, appeared united as they teased about going on holidays together.
During a discussion on skin cancer, Hammond shared: “Many of us are soon to be jetting off on our summer holidays, me included.”
She then turned to her co-host and said: “You as well.”
To which O’Leary replied cheerfully: “Yes, with you”.
Left tickled by the quip, Alison asked: “Are we? I didn’t know about this”.
The jovial exchange comes after The Mail on Sunday reported that the relationship between the two presenters has become “increasingly strained” in recent months and that ITV bosses are worried that they may have to present separately more often.
But prior to their appearance on Monday’s show, the pair poked fun at the speculation as O’Leary shared a snap of the fan-favourite pairing, which he captioned: “Summer’s here!
“Looking forward to this week with my @alisonhammond55 — we’re on from 10am!”
Dispelling the reports surrounding their apparent tense relationship, Hammond commented under the post “cut the tension with a knife”, alongside a laughing emoji.
This is not the first time they have had to hit back at speculation the pair had “beef”.
Last October, Hammond denied claims she and O’Leary did not get on during an appearance on the Saving Grace podcast.
The former Big Brother star said: “I can't tell you how wrong they actually are. I love the fact that people think that. I'm gonna keep that going.
“Go ‘babes, people think we hate each other, let’s do a couple of things on the telly like stand further apart’. Like we’re still distancing!
“But seriously I love the fact people think we’ve got beef, it’s hilarious. Honestly I can’t tell you how much I love that man, he’s so funny.”
