This Morning host Alison Hammond broke down in tears as she got emotional talking about her weight struggles.
The presenter, 47, was comforted by co-host Dermot O’Leary and he put his arm around her while they answered viewer’s problems with agony aunt Diedre on Friday.
Tearful Ms Hammond divulged it was difficult to listen into the agony aunt’s call with Jean, a mother concerned about her 17-year-old daughter’s eating habits, because of her own struggles.
Crying, she said: “I’ve had obesity all my life. Your regulation system is out of whack. You can’t control wanting to eat. A lot of people don’t realise obesity is a disease.
“You can’t help wanting to eat all the time.”
Her voice cracked as she said: “I just think people look down on people because they’re so big and they can’t help it when you have a disease.
“You want to eat and you want the bad things and you know you don’t look great.
When Deidre asked what advice Ms Hammond would give the caller, she replied: “She needs help.
“NHS needs to see it more as a disease. People help people who are anorexic but they don’t help people who are overweight.
“That’s why they turn to surgery because we don’t know what to do.”
She was comforted by Dermot who held her hand and said: “Don’t you dare say sorry.”
This Morning cut to an advert break.
ITV shared the clip under the caption: “The phone in today hit close to home for Alison. Your vulnerability is inspiring, and you are an incredible role model.”
Viewers were inspired by the presenter’s bravery and others come forward with their own stories of struggling with their weight.
Among the comments, one said: “I totally agree we are labelled as it’s our fault but it’s a medical disease that gets unnoticed. I myself have going through it my whole life. Well done for being so open and talk about it. You are an amazing inspiration.”
Another added: “I struggle every single day with food. Food is my demon, like drugs. I have lost 10 stone but have to force myself not to eat bad food. I could quite easily gain all of it. I hear you Alison!
“I have been overweight all my life. If only it was as simple just to eat less. Mentally it’s a struggle EVERY single day.”
