Alison Hammond has admitted she feels in a “vulnerable place”, less than a week after fearing she was having a heart attack during a live edition of This Morning.
The 51-year-old presenter was seen clutching her chest and struggling to breathe before being taken off air and rushed to hospital for medical tests.
At Wednesday night’s Attitude Awards, Alison’s close friend and fellow Big Brother star Kate Lawler, 46, read a speech on her behalf.
Alison received The Honorary Gay award at London’s Roundhouse, where guests included Donatella Versace, the Pet Shop Boys, Sir Ian McKellen and Alesha Dixon.
In her speech, she said she had always tried to bring “joy, laughter and positivity” to other people.
“So suddenly being the person who is struggling, rather than making everyone else laugh, is a very vulnerable place to be,” she added.
Alison Hammond said she is in a “vulnerable place” after fearing she was having a heart attack live on air, describing the experience as one of the scariest things she has been through.
The presenter was hospitalised after being taken off air while clutching her chest during last Friday’s programme, and later revealed she had suffered a “massive panic attack”.
Her close friend and fellow Big Brother star Kate Lawler, 46, read Alison’s speech at Wednesday night’s Attitude Awards, including the words: “Having that moment happen so publicly was incredibly difficult.”
“I’m learning that vulnerability is not a weakness, and that’s something this community has taught me throughout with love,” Alison said.
Apologising for missing the ceremony, she said: “Some of you may have seen that I recently had a very public episode live on television.”
“And let’s be honest, if you’re going to have a breakdown, you might as well have it on ITV with loads of people watching.”
She continued: “But seriously, having that moment happen so publicly was incredibly difficult.”
Alison also thanked her This Morning co-host Dermot O’Leary, 53, for looking after her and continuing with the programme in her absence.
Over the weekend, Alison confirmed that she had returned home from hospital. Following checks on her heart, doctors told her she had experienced a “massive panic attack”.
The Great British Bake Off star said she still needed to “learn more” about panic attacks, but was now “taking stock and resting”.
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. Thanks to everyone at the NHS who checked my heart, lungs and bloods.”
“I’m all OK, it’s all clear, which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean, the shame of it.”
“It felt very real to me. I’m really new to panic attacks, so I need to learn more about them. But I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at This Morning who looked after me, to everyone who sent messages, and to Dermot, who has been incredible. Everyone has honestly really warmed my heart.”
Kate added: “I’ve spoken to Alison since, and it was one of the scariest things she has gone through.”
‘She didn’t think she was having a panic attack, she thought she was having a f****** heart attack’
Alison pictured on This Morning last Friday shortly before her health scare took place
‘I mean this is a new world to me. I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I’ll see you soon. Love ya.’
Kate added: ‘I’ve spoken to Alison since and it was one of the scariest things she has gone through.
‘She didn’t think she was having a panic attack, she thought she was having a f****** heart attack.’
On Friday, Alison was taken to hospital in an ambulance after This Morning viewers saw her rushed off set while clutching her chest.
The star went on to share an update on her Instagram Stories, where she told her followers she was getting her heart checked out.
Alison said: ‘Hello my lovelies, I know you’re all worried about me. Honestly I am fine first of all.
‘I’m getting my old ticker checked out. I’ve been having a little palpitation and now I’m getting it all checked out, I think I’m OK, I’m hoping it’s just a little panic attack or something like that.
‘I love you all, thank you for the messages, I’m so sorry I left you.
‘I wouldn’t usually do that, I would never leave a TV show but I wasn’t very well, so you know I am going to be all right and the doctors are so lovely and checking me out.’
She continued: ‘Hopefully everything is fine, everything is fine actually. Look at me I’m rocking this gown and still got my makeup on from This Morning. Lush and love you babs.’
During the show, Alison had been seen on the edge of frame suddenly clutching her chest before she was rushed away from the sofa by Dermot.
Dr Scott looked worried as he attempted to carry on the segment while a loud retch was heard in the background.
The show then cut to an ad break before returning with Dermot standing solo on set as he told viewers: ‘Welcome back to This Morning, Ali is feeling just a little unwell so she’s just had to duck out. Hopefully she’ll be back in a sec.’
He later told viewers that his co-star would not be returning, saying: ‘Ali’s feeling a little unwell so I’ll be here for the rest of the show.’
A source told Our News Outlet at the time: ‘She’s gone to hospital but we think she’s OK. She walked into the ambulance after leaving the studio.’
Viewers voiced their concern for the star online, with one writing on X: ‘What on earth has happened with Alison? Hope she’s OK.’
Another asked: ‘What just happened to Alison Hammond? Frightening.”I am very worried about Alison, I hope she is OK, she’s a great presenter,’ added another.
‘Dermot O’Leary handled it beautifully,’ she said.
‘I think Dermot deserves his own gay award because he is the gayest straight man on the planet. He is basically an honorary gay man already.’
Over the weekend, Alison revealed she’d returned home from hospital, and after undergoing checks on her heart, doctors told her she’d had a ‘massive panic attack’.
The Great British Bake Off star said that she needs to ‘learn more’ about panic attacks, but is now ‘taking stock and resting’.
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, thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs, bloods.
‘I’m all OK, it’s all clear which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean the shame of it.
‘I mean it felt very real to me, I’m really new to panic attacks so I need to learn more about it. But I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone at This Morning who looked after me, all of your messages, Dermot who has just been incredible, everyone has just, honestly it’s really warmed my heart actually…
‘I mean this is a new world to me. I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I’ll see you soon. Love ya.’
On Friday, Alison was taken to hospital in an ambulance after This Morning viewers saw her rushed off set while clutching her chest.
The star went on to share an update on her Instagram Stories, where she told her followers she was getting her heart checked out.
Alison said: ‘Hello my lovelies, I know you’re all worried about me. Honestly I am fine first of all.
‘I’m getting my old ticker checked out. I’ve been having a little palpitation and now I’m getting it all checked out, I think I’m OK, I’m hoping it’s just a little panic attack or something like that.
‘I love you all, thank you for the messages, I’m so sorry I left you.
‘I wouldn’t usually do that, I would never leave a TV show but I wasn’t very well, so you know I am going to be all right and the doctors are so lovely and checking me out.’
She continued: ‘Hopefully everything is fine, everything is fine actually. Look at me I’m rocking this gown and still got my makeup on from This Morning. Lush and love you babs.’
During the show, Alison had been seen on the edge of frame suddenly clutching her chest before she was rushed away from the sofa by Dermot.
Vet Dr Scott, 51, looked worried as he attempted to carry on the segment while a loud retch was heard in the background.
The show then cut to an ad break before returning with Dermot standing solo on set as he told viewers: ‘Welcome back to This Morning, Ali is feeling just a little unwell so she’s just had to duck out. Hopefully she’ll be back in a sec.’
He later told viewers that his co-star would not be returning, saying: ‘Ali’s feeling a little unwell so I’ll be here for the rest of the show.’
A source told Our News Outlet at the time: ‘She’s gone to hospital but we think she’s OK. She walked into the ambulance after leaving the studio.’
