VETERAN crooner Sir Cliff Richard sparked fury among This Morning viewers after his “fat shaming” remarks.
ITV anchor Alison Hammond, 48, today called out the Summer Holiday singer, 83, for his blunt comments made about the late king of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
Sir Cliff was discussing his “one chance” to meet The Wonder Of You hitmaker with Alison and co-host Dermot O’Leary, along with special guest presenter Sarah Ferguson.
Sarah asked if Cliff had ever met Elvis, to which he replied: “No I did not.
“I had one chance through a journalist when I was promoting Devil Woman in the States
“He said ‘Oh I know Elvis’ because he knew I was influenced.
“He said ‘would you want to meet him?’ and I said: ‘Yeah.’
At the end of the interview though I said ‘Can we put it off?’ because he had put on a load of weight.
“And I thought if I am going to have a photo with him and it’s going to be hanging on my refrigerator he’s got to look good.
“So I put it off – and then of course he died.”
Alison let out a small giggle and sniped: “You should never have put it off, just because they are a little bit heavier.”
Cliff tried to show his regret as he added: “If you’re a fan of anyone’s and you get the chance to meet them, meet them – even if they have put on weight.”
Yet with his comments clearly jarring, Alison replied: “Is that why you don’t want me at your house?
“Just joking.”
One fan was quick to back Alison’s reaction and wrote: “Good on Alison Hammond subtly having a dig back at Cliff Richard here.”
Another put: “She’s great that woman, as a big lad myself, I appreciate what she said!”
Alison recently revealed how much weight she gained while presenting Bake Off.
In recent months, Alison has slimmed down and has paraded her figure after shedding the pounds in a series of stunning and glam outfits.
The telly anchor kick-started a new wellbeing routine after her beloved mother sadly died in 2020.
