Fans of This Morning can breathe easy—Dermot O’Leary has hit back at claims of a backstage feud with Alison Hammond. The popular Friday duo have reassured viewers that their friendship is as strong as ever, despite the constant gossip.
Speaking to Radio Times, Dermot reflected on one of the toughest periods on the show: “We were doing a show that, through no fault of our own, was on the cover of newspapers for 50 days on the trot.”
He added that the smallest on-air gestures can spark wild speculation: “We’ll finish an item, I’ll look one way, Alison the other, and suddenly the papers scream ‘Bust-up on This Morning!’ It’s all bull[bleep].”
Alison defended the show’s spontaneous vibe: “You’ve got to be free to say what you want, and give your opinions. If you start editing yourself, you lose the live element people love.”
The pair admitted there have been rare occasions when they went on air after a minor tiff, but Alison joked she could fake chemistry if needed—though Dermot wasn’t so sure.
Reflecting on their bond, Dermot said: “I don’t like the idea of making Ali unhappy. She’s such a good friend and basically a Jamaican mother—you don’t want to get on her wrong side!”
He added that their friendship has been a learning experience: “I’ve taught Alison to take life a bit more seriously, she’s taught me to take it a bit less seriously.”
After years of public scrutiny, especially following Phillip Schofield’s exit, Dermot and Alison’s message is clear: no feuds, just a genuine friendship that shines on screen every Friday.
