Alison Hammond Returns to 'This Morning' After Health Scare, Jokes About Past On-Air Incidents

Alison Hammond made her return to the "This Morning" sofa on Friday, just one week after experiencing what she initially feared was a heart attack live on air. The 51-year-old presenter recounted the incident, describing it as "the scariest thing I've ever been through."

Last week, Hammond was visibly distressed on set, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe before leaving the broadcast for medical evaluation. She later confirmed that the episode was a panic attack, not a heart condition.

Returning to co-host duties with Dermot O'Leary, Hammond addressed the audience with her characteristic humor. "Thank you, first of all, for holding the fort, and thank you to everyone who sent their good wishes," she said. "All I can say is, in that moment, it was probably one of the most scariest things that I've ever been through. It was surreal."

She drew a parallel to the popular television series "Stranger Things," explaining, "I felt like I went into the other world. You know when you go into the upside down world? I felt like I went into the upside-down world. I couldn't grasp my breath, and it was a panic attack."

Hammond expressed a moment of unexpected guilt that her experience wasn't a more serious medical condition, given the intensity of the event. She described the sensation as a wave of adrenaline, stating, "I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack."

The live nature of the incident added to her distress. "Secondly, it was live on TV, so I thought, oh my gosh, my son might be watching, so I just ran. I ran off TV," she recalled. "I would never do that normally, but I just couldn't catch my breath."

Before her return to the "This Morning" sofa, the show teased her appearance on "Lorraine's" program. During this segment, Hammond humorously referenced Holly Willoughby's well-known "Are you OK?" phrase. As Lorraine welcomed her back, Hammond quipped, "And I'm going to tell you everything, guys. Are you okay? I hope you are."

Willoughby's "Are you OK?" question became a notable moment in June 2023 following the departure of co-host Phillip Schofield. Hammond's lighthearted jab at the memorable on-air phrase marked her return to her usual cheerful demeanor.

Hammond concluded her remarks by emphasizing the impact of the event on her perspective. "If anything, it's made it's made me look at life so much differently. Yeah, you know, take stock. You know, look after my health," she stated, expressing gratitude for her well-being and for being back on set.