Alison Hammond breaks down in tears on This Morning as she addresses Phillip Schofield's interview

She's been presenting the show while they find a replacement

Alison Hammond
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 2nd Jun 2023

As Phillip Schofield has opened up about his affair with a younger colleague, Friday's This Morning presenters Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond have addressed the scandal, with Alison breaking down in tears.

The TV hosts, who normally present the popular show on Fridays, have been standing in while ITV find a replacement host for Phillip, after his shock departure and Holly's extended half team leave.

During the show, Dermot admitted: "This has been very difficult for us to cover this story as he's a friend and a colleague."

Alison also spoke out saying it was 'really painful' to watch the interview and Phillip talking about his affair.

She explained on the show: "I was finding it really painful because obviously, you know, I loved Phillip Schofield and it's weird because I still love Phillip Schofield.

"However what he's done is wrong, he's admitted it, he's said sorry. But as an (ITV) family we're all really struggling to process everything. I never know what to say. But I remember what my mum used to say."

Alison then revealed what her late mum would say: "My mum always said 'Use your Bible as a sat nav in life, Al.' And in the Bible it says 'he without sin, cast the first stone'. And I just don't want to, I don't want to say anything bad because obviously I'm in conflict, that's how I feel."

Addressing the part of the interview where Phillip said: "I think I understand how Caroline Flack felt," Alison admitted: "There's so much a man can take, there's so much. And I don't want any death in this situation."

Dermot and Alison have been presenting the show while Holly Willoughby has been taking an extended break following the departure of Phillip Schofield. The last show they presented together was on 18th May.

Holly is set to return to the show on Monday 5th June, however in recent days it's been noticed that the TV presenter has removed any mention of This Morning from her Instagram bio, calling herself a broadcaster.

Take a look through potential replacements for Phillip Schofield on This Morning:

Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond is the Friday host alongside Dermot O'Leary, but she's currently one of the favourites to take the full time role.

Dermot O'Leary

He hosts the show on a Friday alongside Alison Hammond, but fans would love to see Dermot O'Leary in a more full time role.

Josie Gibson

As well as being a loved member of the This Morning team, Josie has been promoted to host in recent months during the holidays, alongside Irishman Craig Doyle. And now she's appearing in I'm A Celeb, will she host the show permanently in 2024?

Cat Deeley

After joining Rylan Clark in November 2023 to host the show, fans were calling for Cat Deeley to become a permanent presenter!

Craig Doyle

Craig joined the This Morning team in 2021, presenting competitions before being promoted to a stand-in host alongside Josie Gibson. In recent months, Craig has presented the main show alongside the likes of Alison Hammond, Mollie King, Rochelle Humes, and Holly Willoughby.


Since Phillip's departure, Craig has been presenting the show frequently alongside Holly.

Rylan Clark

Until recently, Rylan Clark was a regular face on This Morning, stepping in to host the show as well as being the showbiz reporter. Now there's a position going, will Rylan leave his radio show to return?

Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon is firm favourite at ITV, having been a popular panellist on Loose Women for a number of years. Following Phillip's departure earlier this year, many of Stacey's fans believed she'd hinted she could be about to replace him, after revealing she'd just had 'one of the most exciting meetings of my life.'

Marvin and Rochelle Humes

Rochelle is a current member of the This Morning team and has stepped in to host the show a number of times, and she's also number of other shows alongside her husband Marvin! The pair would be a great fit!

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford

Former Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and her husband Eamonn Holmes were replaced by bosses by Alison and Dermot, but could they be tempted to return to host the show?

Ben Shephard

Ben Shephard is a regular face on the ITV circuit - not only is he a regular presenter for Good Morning Britain, he also hosts daytime challenge show Tipping Point. He's an official stand-in on This Morning, having hosted alongside Holly in October, so could his role become more permanent?

Davina McCall

Davina is loved by TV fans across the UK, and she's been a regular guest on the show over the years, as well as occasionally stepping in to host.

Christine Lampard

Christine Lampard (née Bleakley) has been a stand-in for Holly Willoughby in the past, and she often presents Lorraine when Lorraine Kelly is off on holiday, meaning she's very well liked at ITV!

Gok Wan

Fashion guru and chef Gok Wan was a huge hit with viewers when he hosted the show alongside Rylan Clark back in 2018, and he's now a regular guest presenter on the show!

Vanessa Feltz

Vanessa Feltz has been a TV personality since 1992 - so she's VERY experienced. Having previously presented the show and often giving advice to callers, she wouldn't be a stranger to the show.

Abbey Clancy

Rumours are rife that TV presenter and model Abbey Clancy is the new favourite to replace Holly. The mum-of-four had a good relationship with ITV, having recently worked with them on Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes.

Hannah Waddingham

Actress and TV presenter Hannah Waddingham has also been thrown into the hat for the role. Known for roles on Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones and this year's Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, as well as presenting Eurovision 2023, Hannah would be a very popular choice.

Now read:

Phillip Schofield says he has 'lost everything' after affair

Phillip Schofield resigns from ITV with immediate effect

Holly Willoughby removes This Morning from social media days before her planned return

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