This Morning’s Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary shake off reports of ‘strained relationship’

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have shaken off reports of a "strained relationship" to present Monday's This Morning.

Hosting the first show of the week, Alison 48, and Dermot, 50, stepped in as usual host Holly Willoughby took her summer holiday, and were as close as ever – despite the rumours plaguing the show.

During a segment about staying safe in the sun, and preventing skin cancer Alison said: "Many of us are soon to be jetting off on our summer holidays, me included."

She then turned to Dermot, adding: "You as well." To which he replied: "Yes, with you." Laughing, Alison quipped: "Are we? I didn't know about this."

It comes after reports claimed bosses were "worried" over Alison and Dermot's "strained" relationship.

"Recently though things have become strained and it is worrying the bosses, they fear that this couple they put together which they had hoped would carry the show through the tough times it is enduring may have to present apart a bit more," said their source.

Following this, a second source rubbished these rumours to The Mirror: "This is absolute nonsense. There’s no tension between Alison and Dermot, quite the opposite."

Further putting this to bed, an ITV spokesperson said: "Alison, Dermot and Holly are all valued members of the This Morning family and all enjoy working together on the show, as well as having friendships outside of the show."

It comes after the show has been in turmoil over recent months following reports of a feud between former TV golden duo Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, before the latter's resignation.

Phillip later admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague and stepped down entirely from ITV, leading to further scrutiny.

And since Phillip's resignation from the show, This Morning has been plagued with allegations of “toxicity”.

ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall even faced questions from MPs alongside ITV managing director Kevin Lygo and general counsel and company secretary Kyla Mullins about former host Phillip’s exit during a Culture, Media and Sport Committee session in Parliament.

Dame Carolyn confirmed the show has had two complaints about bullying or harassment in five years which were “both taken very seriously”, including from the show’s former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh, who raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.

Talking about the allegations, she said: “It deeply disappoints me but we do not recognise that at This Morning, we have tangible evidence to tell you where the vast majority of people at daytime at This Morning are extremely engaged and very motivated.”

She later added: “When you use those words about our culture, we don’t recognise that at our culture, it doesn’t mean we don’t take it seriously.”

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