has recalled being referred to as ‘a Black host’ when she first took over her slot with Dermot O’Leary, saying that it was ‘really upsetting’.
In January last year, Alison and Dermot on the Friday edition of the ITV programme, taking over from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
At the time, viewers praised the duo on their fun dynamic, but behind-the-scenes, the nerves had set in before they arrived on screen.
During a recent podcast appearance, Alison, 47, explained that it was ‘tough’ when her new role was first announced, having been a presenter on This Morning since 2003.
Speaking to and her daughter Rosie on their podcast What If?, the National Television Award and Bafta TV Award nominee said that she ‘got a lot of flack doing that job because obviously my friends were doing it beforehand’, referring to Eamonn and Ruth.
‘It was tough to do it. And Eamonn and Ruth told me to go for it. I’ll tell you what was really upsetting, like I can remember reading an article, and it was the first time that I’d become just a colour, because it said: “Black host replaces Eamonn and Ruth,” and it really upset me,’ she recollected.
‘That was the first time I thought, “Oh my gosh, I’m just a colour. I’m nothing else. I’m not Alison Hammond anymore,” which I’d always been. I just became a Black host.’
Alison said that she found the experience ‘quite shocking and quite upsetting’, having been feeling a lot of ‘stress’ before her first show.
‘I was really nervous, but I overcame it and it’s been ok,’ she added.
While Alison and Dermot now get on like a house on fire, the pair have previously when they first started.
During an interview on Lorraine, Alison explained that they were ‘thrown together, like an arranged marriage’, with it taking two months before they felt comfortable with each other.
‘We told each other what we don’t like, we were so honest with each other and I think that’s why it worked,’ she said.
‘We had a few private chats – “I don’t like this about you; well I don’t like this when you do such and such.” All really tiny small things but the fact we were honest and able to talk to each other, I think that’s why it’s worked.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
