Alison Hammond heartbroken as This Morning legend quits ITV show amid turmoil
ALISON Hammond has spoken about her sadness at losing one of her close friends on the This Morning team.
The 48-year-old hosted the ITV daytime show today with regular Friday co-presenter Dermot O’Leary.
She explained that digital producer Ella Bates was leaving the series, sharing a video of their time together on This Morning.
Alison said: “I am absolutely devastated that Ella Bates is leaving. She has been a breath of fresh air every single day.”
Her friend Josie Gibson, 38 – also a This Morning presenter – added her own tribute.
She wrote: “Ella I am so so sad to see you leave us. You lighten up any room with your magical energy.
“You are Golden my friend and your going places with that special energy of yours.”
Ella posted her own tribute to the show, writing: “I can’t believe this is my last day at This Morning!
“I could go on for hours about everything I’ve loved about my time on This Morning, but I think the saying – ‘Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life’, sums up working on TM perfectly.”
Her departure comes amid a time of intense scrutiny surrounding This Morning and its main presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Some have predicted that if the pair, who have been locked in a feud, do end up leaving the show, Alison and Josie could be promoted to main hosts.
PR expert Nick Ede said: “There’s an outside chance that there could even be a permanent female duo.
“Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond have proved incredibly popular and the combo of Alison and Holly recently proved very successful.”
Holly and Phillip will soon have a week off for the half-term holidays. An insider told The Sun: “As a show, they cannot continue for long without a resolution.
“Many believe it is time for Phil to step back and allow Holly to take the reins but he won’t go without a fight.
“If a week apart can help heal the rift, then great. But ultimately, a sticking plaster won’t fix this.”