CRACKS APPEARING?
As the pair share awkward on-air tension, is Ruth Langsford ready to step in?
They replaced beloved Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes in a bid to freshen up the This Morning hosting panel back in 2021. But just 18 months later, it seems that relations could be souring between Dermot O’leary and Alison Hammond. The pair – who producers hoped could bring a vivacious new lease of life to the ITV show’s Friday slot – have been subject to rift rumours after banter took a wrong turn and Dermot, 49, was caught calling Alison, 47, a ‘b***h’ live on air.
SHOCK SLIP
The incident occurred shortly before the presenters went off for their summer break, when the duo were reflecting on their past experiences with Big Brother. Alison, who appeared on Big Brother in 2002, commented on a clip of a much younger looking Dermot hosting an episode of spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother, which he fronted from 2001-2008.
After joking about Dermot’s shaved head in the clip, Alison went on to say, ‘You were so good at that show, really good.’
Dermot questioned Alison’s turn of phrase, asking, ‘Just that show?’ Before his co-host pointedly hit back, ‘Yeah, that one.’ Laughing awkwardly, Dermot let slip, ‘Such a b***h!’
Looking shocked, Alison immediately apologised for the foul language, as did
‘I DON’T THINK HE LIKES HER’
Dermot. But while the pair laughed off the awkward banter and quickly moved on to another segment, fans weren’t convinced. Many seem to believe there’s something more deep-rooted going on between the two presenters. ‘They don’t get on… and it shows,’ one commented, while another fan wrote, ‘Alison knew what she was doing, you could see that everything she was saying was an intentional backhanded compliment. They can’t stand each other - and they’re not very good on this show.’ Another commented, ‘There is zero chemistry with these two and I don’t think he likes her,’ before adding, ‘Bring back Eamonn and Ruth.’
FAN FRENZY
It’s not the first time fans have hoped for a revival of the old guard, and this week their appetite will be somewhat sated, as Ruth Langsford, 62, has returned to host the show, albeit without her husband. While Eamonn is happily embedded in his new GB News gig, Ruth has joined ‘telly son’ Rylan Clark, 33, to pitch in while Dermot and Alison, along with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, take their summer break.
News of Ruth’s return sent fans into a frenzy, with some being unable to contain their excitement. ‘Ruth and Rylan – perfect combination,’ wrote one, while another added, ‘Pity it wasn’t for the whole of the summer and not just for a week, I love Rylan and Ruth together, so excited.’ Another added, ‘Looking forward to Ruth and Rylan, so good to have a change.’ So with things looking tense between Alison and Dermot and fans gunning to see more of Ruth, could the Loose Woman be waiting in the wings ready to step in? We’ll have to watch this space…