Alison Hammond has addressed fans from a hospital bed after a sudden medical emergency forced her off the air during Friday’s live broadcast of This Morning. The presenter, who was seen clutching her chest and struggling for breath on October 2, 2026, confirmed she is undergoing heart tests following what she described as severe heart palpitations.
The incident occurred approximately one hour into the program during a veterinary advice segment with Dr. Scott Miller. Hammond appeared visibly distressed as her breathing became labored, leading co-host Dermot O’Leary to guide her off-camera. Some viewers reported hearing faint retching sounds as she was led away before the show transitioned to a commercial break.
Breaking her silence later that afternoon, Hammond shared a video update on Instagram Stories to reassure her followers. Wearing a hospital gown, she maintained a positive tone, even joking about the state of her makeup while explaining the medical intervention. She attributed the suddenly forced off the air moment to heart palpitations and suggested that the episode might have been a severe panic attack.
Following the advertisement break on Friday, Dermot O’Leary returned to anchor the remainder of the broadcast alone. Production staff reportedly edited the moment of Hammond’s exit out of the This Morning +1 time-shifted broadcast to minimize distress for viewers catching up on the episode.
Hammond’s update from the hospital ward emphasized that she was undergoing a full cardiac check-up to rule out underlying issues. While she has not yet confirmed when she will return to the ITV sofa, her candid video provided a sense of relief to viewers who had expressed concern on social media immediately following her abrupt departure.
