ITV This Morning in hot water as Alison Hammond slapped with 86 Ofcom complaints
ITV This Morning has been slapped with complaints over Alison Hammond’s remarks about “naughty” children. The Big Brother[1] legend became the regular Friday host, alongside Dermot O’Leary, back in 2021, as they replaced Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford. But recently, Alison – a mum-of-one – offended viewers with comments she made about naughty children.
The Great British Bake Off[2] host’s remarks last Friday sparked 86 complaints from angry fans of the show, after she alluded to “naughty” children watching the show while being off school. The Ofcom spokesperson said: “The majority of complaints related to comments made by Alison Hammond[3] about children who are not in school at the time of broadcast as naughty.” It came during the same episode as Alison apologising to fans for “unprofessional” behaviour after her phone went off during broadcast.
While presenting, a distracted Dermot O’Leary asked: “Oh my God, have you not turned it off?” to which she replied: “I did turn it off!
That’s not me! That wasn’t me!” before adding: “I am so sorry. How unprofessional.” Last year, Alison sparked an Ofcom storm when she said she was “devastated” at new rules which stopped people singing at the theatre.
She said: “[Theatre staff] are regularly walking up and down the aisles before the performance and during the interval with ‘no singing’ signs’ I mean, I can’t believe it, I’d be devastated.” Taking to Twitter/X in the wake of furore, Alison issued a grovelling apology to her followers. She typed: “After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday’s show, I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the utmost respect for. I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff, especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester, which has made me sick to my stomach.
“Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future.”
References
- ^ Big Brother (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Great British Bake Off (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Alison Hammond (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^