Dermot and Alison: CRACKS APPEARING?

As the pair share awkward on-air tension, is Ruth Langsford ready to step in?

They replaced beloved Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes in a bid to freshen up the This Morning hosting panel back in 2021. But just 18 months later, it seems that relations could be souring between Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond. The pair who producers hoped could bring a vivacious new lease of life to the ITV show's Friday slot - have been subject to rift rumours after banter took a wrong turn and Dermot, 49, was caught calling Alison, 47, a 'b***h' live on air.

The incident occurred shortly before the presenters went off for their summer break, when the duo were reflecting on their past experiences with Big Brother. Alison, who appeared on Big Brother in 2002, commented on a clip of a much younger looking Dermot hosting an episode of spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother, which he fronted from 2001-2008.