Alison Hammond gives fans health update after exit midway through presenting show
The 51-year-old presenter reassured fans that she was doing well and that she was undergoing further checks after she was helped off the set by her co-host Dermot O'Leary
Alison Hammond has given fans a health update after suddenly leaving the live programme midway through Friday’s show.
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Hammond, 51, was taken ill while presenting the programme and later revealed she experienced “a little bit of a palpitation” during the live broadcast.
The presenter was helped off the set by her co-host Dermot O'Leary after she was seen clutching her chest, before leaving the programme at around 11.30am during a feature about pets.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Hammond reassured fans that she was doing well and explained that she was undergoing further checks.
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.
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She added: “I'm hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that.”
Hammond went on to thank those who had looked after her, adding: “Thanks to everyone at the NHS, who did the checks on my heart, lungs and bloods.’
The Bake-Off star said she was hoping the tests would give her an answer, adding: “which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV.”.
She revealed she was new to experiencing panic attacks, saying: “I need to learn more about it," she added.
Hammond also praised O'Leary for supporting her after she became unwell, saying: "Dermot has just been incredible”.
O'Leary, 53, explained Hammond's absence when the show returned from a break, telling viewers: "Welcome back to This Morning, Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she's just had to duck out”.
He later updated viewers to confirm that Hammond would not be returning to Friday's programme.
Hammond 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.
She later reassured fans again, saying: “Everything is fine. I’m rocking it. Look how good I look – still got my make-up on from this morning. Lush.”
In response to the incident, Hammond said “I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I'll see you soon."