Alison Hammond doing ‘so much better’ after suffering ‘massive’ panic attack on This Morning

Alison Hammond is doing “so much better” after suffering a “massive panic attack” during a live edition of This Morning.

Hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley opened Monday’s edition of the ITV show with an update on the TV presenter, 51, after she became unwell during Friday’s programme.

Shephard said: “We had a little bit of a scare on Friday.”

Alison Hammond shared a further health update on Instagram on Saturday

Alison Hammond / Instagram

Deeley then reassured viewers with some good news, saying Hammond had been “given the all clear, home and resting”.

“We love you Alison, sending you lots of love,” Shephard added.

The presenters also revealed that Hammond had sent him a message about her recovery, saying she had been “spoilt by everyone at home”.

“She sent me a lovely message saying she was spoilt by everyone at home, having massages, felt a bit like a princess,” they added.

The presenter had appeared to clutch her chest before O’Leary accompanied her from the studio as the ITV programme cut to an advert break.

The show had been halfway through a segment about pets when the incident occurred, with O’Leary later telling viewers that Hammond was “feeling a little unwell” and had “had to duck out”.

Hammond later revealed that she had been taken to hospital for checks on her heart, lungs and bloods after initially experiencing palpitations.

Hammond revealed that she had been taken to hospital for checks

Instagram / alisonhammond55

In a video shared on Instagram, the This Morning star reassured fans that she was “fine” and joked about still having her make-up on from the programme.

She said: “Hello, my lovelies. I know you’re all worried about me.

“Honestly, I am fine, first of all, but 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 OK. I’m hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that.”

Hammond also apologised to viewers for leaving the programme, saying she would not normally walk away from a live TV show.

She added: “I’m so sorry I left you. I would never normally do that. I would never leave a TV show – so you know I wasn’t very well.

“Hopefully I’m going to be all right. The doctors are so lovely, and they’re checking me out, and hopefully everything’s going to be fine. I love you.”

Hammond also apologised to viewers for leaving the programme

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She later corrected herself and insisted: “Everything is fine!”

The broadcaster then joked about her appearance, adding: “I’m rocking it. Look how good I look – still got my make-up on from this morning. Lush.”

She captioned the video: “Anything to have a day off.”

Hammond has now revealed that doctors found no underlying problem after carrying out a series of tests.

Sharing another video with her followers, she said: “Hi everyone. I’m just getting in touch to let you all know I’m home, I’m safe, and I’m feeling so much better.

Hammond rose to fame after appearing as a contestant on Big Brother in 2002

Instagram

“Thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs, bloods. I’m all okay. It’s all clear.

“Which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean, the shame of it.”

She admitted that the experience had felt “very real”, explaining that she was new to experiencing panic attacks and would now need to learn more about them.

Hammond also thanked those who looked after her at This Morning, singling out O’Leary for being “incredible”.

Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond host This Morning together

PA Wire

She said: “Honestly, it’s really warmed my heart. I didn’t necessarily want to be on the news or anything like that but this is a new world to me.

“I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I’ll see you soon.”

The presenter finished the video by blowing a kiss to the camera and saying: “Love ya.”

Hammond rose to fame after appearing as a contestant on Big Brother in 2002.

Hammond also features on The Great British Bake Off

She has since become one of British television’s most recognisable presenters, appearing on shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing.

She first appeared on This Morning in 2003 before becoming a regular presenter on the ITV programme, taking on a permanent co-hosting role in 2021.

The presenter is also known for her candid celebrity interviews, including an infamous 2017 exchange with Harrison Ford when she admitted she had never seen his 1982 film Blade Runner while interviewing him about its sequel, Blade Runner 2049.