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TV host Alison Hammond abruptly left This Morning during its live broadcast on Friday after feeling “a little unwell”, and was later admitted to hospital.
Co-host Dermot O’Leary, 53, broke the news when the show came back from an advert break, saying: “Welcome back to This Morning. Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she’s just had to duck out.”
The programme had begun with Hammond and O’Leary at the helm, and her departure came after a segment about pets.
“Hopefully she’ll be back,” O’Leary said.
The former X Factor host later told viewers that Hammond would not be returning.
He said: “Ali’s feeling a little unwell so I’ll be here for the rest of the show.”
Hammond later posted a video on social media, showing her lying in a hospital bed, with the caption “anything to have a day off”.
Addressing the camera, she said: “I know you’re all worried about me. Honestly, I am fine, first of all.
“I’m getting me old ticker checked out. I had a little bit of a palpitation, and now I’m getting it all checked out, but I think I’m okay.
“I’m hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that.”
She apologised to viewers for leaving mid-broadcast, saying that she would normally never leave a TV show, before joking: “Look how good I look! Still got my make-up on from This Morning. Lush.”
The TV personality, 51, rose to fame in 2002 when she appeared as a contestant on Channel 4 reality show Big Brother.
She has since appeared on programmes including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing.
Hammond first appeared on This Morning in 2003 and became a co-host in 2021.
She is known for memorable TV moments and celebrity interviews such as playing Connect 4 with pop star Beyonce.
Last week, Hammond shared a rare insight into her “beautiful” relationship with her ex-partner and father of her son, Aidan.
During last Friday’s This Morning (25 September), the presenter discussed recent statistics that reveal the average length of a marriage ending in divorce in England and Wales reached a record high of 13 years in 2025.
“You can also have very successful uncouplings,” she said.
“I literally uncoupled with Aidan’s dad after two years of being with him, but he’s been in my life for the past 21 years and it’s been beautiful.
“He’s remarried, got three kids and I feel like it’s one big beautiful family.”
Hammond also co-hosts The Great British Bake Off alongside comedian Noel Fielding, which recently started airing its latest season with new judge Nigella Lawson.
