Dermot O’Leary, the This Morning presenter, couldn’t help but “address the elephant in the room” when his colleague Alison Hammond appeared on screen sporting a stunning new hairstyle.
Alison, who is currently taking a break from her presenting role to star in this year’s panto, made a surprise virtual appearance on the ITV programme. Despite her busy schedule, the Birmingham-born celebrity managed to video call into the show, much to the astonishment of her usual co-host.
The TV favourite took time out from her hectic pantomine commitments to join the show to support her old primary school, after they’d delivered a heartwarming performance of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Keen to express her gratitude, the ex-Big Brother contestant sent in a pre-recorded message.
Following the broadcast, Dermot was visibly impressed by Alison’s bold move to blonde, as she revealed her naturally wavy hair and looked absolutely fabulous. Josie Gobson even likened her to “Beyonce,” reports .
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Josie and Dermot flabbergasted on This Morning (Image: ITV)
As Alison signed off, her dramatic new look became the hot topic of conversation. Dermot, ever the entertainer, quipped: “Can we mention the elephant in the room which is rocking the Beyonce barnet.”
Josie couldn’t hide her surprise as she exclaimed: “I thought it was Beyonce for a minute there, I thought ‘wow’.” Dermot, perplexed, asked: “What?” To which the Bristolian-star enthusiastically responded: “Alison, you look incredible.”
Alison Hammond dazzled with brand new hair (Image: ITV)
Dermot then clarified: “She’s in panto isn’t she? So she’s rehearsing.” Unabashed, Josie insisted: “I honestly thought it was Beyonce.” Replying with sarcasim, Dermot said: “I didn’t know that Beyonce went to that school?” Josie playfully retorted: “Ohh right, Single Ladies.”
In another segment of Thursday’s (December 19) episode, the stand-in hosts, who were filling in for and Cat Deeley during the holiday season, also paid homage to Alison with a throwback photo from her grade school days.
Alison Hammond throwback as a child (Image: ITV)
Following the performance by Warren Farm Primary School, Dermot revealed: “Of course that was Alison Hammond’s former primary school singing for us there… and we have a photo of her.”
As Alison’s childhood image appeared on-screen, Dermot couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, exclaiming: “Look at her in that coat!” While Josie chimed in with nostalgic warmth: “She was so cute. She’s still cute now.”
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1, from 10am.