Alison Hammond hospitalised for heart check-up after leaving This Morning live broadcast

Mid-broadcast departure

British television presenter Alison Hammond underwent hospital examinations on 2 October 2026 after leaving a live broadcast of ITV's This Morning. The 51-year-old broadcaster had opened the morning programme at 10:00 BST alongside her regular co-host, 53-year-old Dermot O'Leary. During an 11:30 BST segment focused on pets, Hammond experienced sudden symptoms and abruptly walked off-camera. When the broadcast resumed after a commercial break, O'Leary addressed her unexpected absence to viewers watching at home.

Welcome back to This Morning, Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she's just had to duck out. Hopefully she'll be back.

O'Leary later provided an update confirming that Hammond would not be returning to the studio, telling viewers that he would continue presenting the remainder of the live show alone.

Hospital tests and video update

Following her departure from the studio, Hammond shared an update on her Instagram Stories from a hospital bed while wearing a medical gown. She explained that she had suffered a palpitation and was undergoing clinical tests on her heart, while suggesting the episode might have been a panic attack. The Birmingham-born presenter apologised to viewers and the production team for having to exit the programme unexpectedly, stating that she would normally never leave a broadcast midway through. She thanked audiences for their messages of support, praised the hospital medical staff as lovely, and assured fans that she remained in good spirits.

Honestly, I am fine, first of all. I'm getting my 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. I love you all.

In the clip, overlaid with the caption 'Anything to have a day off', Hammond joked about still wearing her studio make-up and signed off with 'Love you, babs'. ITV and representatives for Hammond were contacted for comment regarding her condition.

Career and television background

Hammond first entered British public life in 2002 as a contestant on Channel 4's reality television show Big Brother, before joining the This Morning roster in 2003. Over the following two decades, she appeared as a contestant on British entertainment programmes including Strictly Come Dancing and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. In 2021, she was appointed to a regular co-hosting role on This Morning alongside O'Leary, with their presenting team winning a National Television Award for best daytime programme in 2022.

Her presenting career expanded further in 2023 when she joined comedian Noel Fielding as co-host of Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off, which airs in the United States as The Great British Baking Show. In 2024, Hammond took over presenting duties on ITV's For the Love of Dogs following the death of presenter Paul O'Grady. Over her television career, she also gained recognition for celebrity interviews, including a 2017 interview with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling for Blade Runner 2049 and an on-screen Connect Four match with Beyoncé.