Alison Hammond praised for response after Katie Hopkins mocks her ‘heart attack scare’
Alison Hammond has been applauded for her response to Katie Hopkins’ ‘awful’ rant about her health scare.
For those who missed it, viewers were left worried on Friday (2 October), when the ITV presenter rushed off This Morning, which she was hosting with Dermot O’Leary, while gasping and clutching her chest.
Returning from an ad break, O'Leary explained: "Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she’s just had to duck out” and went on to present the rest of the British daytime show without her.
Later that day, Hammond reassured her fans by taking to Instagram to explain that she was getting her heart checked but was ‘hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that’.
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Then, in a new video on Saturday, she issued another update, this time that she’s ‘home, safe and feeling so much better’.
Hammond confirmed: “Thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs, bloods. I’m all okay. It’s all clear.”
The presenter explained: “Which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean, the shame of it. But it felt very real to me. I’m really new to panic attacks, so I need to learn more about it.”
Following the health scare, Hopkins, who is a far-right political commentator known for her controversial opinions, filmed herself going on a bizarre rant about the TV presenter.
She said: “I may be away from the UK right now, but please just tell me I didn’t just see Alison Hammond on ITV News because she may have had a minor panic attack on TV.
“Please tell me that ITV News’ main feature wasn’t Alison Hammond, who used to be a significant chumba womba, about the size of a brick s***shed, to be quite honest with you, because she thought she might have had a minor panic attack on TV?”
Hopkins brutally continued: “And then got immediately rushed to hospital, immediately got put in a hospital bed, I mean miracles upon miracles, and immediately on social media to let people know that maybe, hopefully I’ll be okay.
"We can’t be certain, but I think maybe I might have had a minor panic attack, and I’ve made maximum fuss about it.
“Could you please have some respect. There’s people out there in the universe with actual conditions, chronic conditions that make their everyday hell, that make them not able to use the stairs or go in a shower alone, or they’re overcoming some horrific illness, or they’ve got a terminal diagnosis, and the nation is fixated on a former chumbawomba, who may have had a bit of a d***y moment for two seconds? I mean, seriously, please.”
She then continued to cruelly make comments about Hammond's weight, before saying: "Get a grip, there’s real people out there with real problems. For Christ’s sake, Alison, just do whatever it is you do. Eat."
The video sparked a wave of comments defending Hammond and explaining just how scary panic attacks can be.
Among the replies was the ITV star herself, who has been praised for having the ‘perfect response’ to the ‘disgusting’ video.
Hammond simply wrote: “I’m still a Chumba womba babs!! I thought it was a heart attack it was very scary. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, even you cos you are beautiful on inside and out,” alongside a love heart emoji.
While another viewer replied: “Panic attacks are very similar symptoms to heart attacks... I'm disgusted this woman went so low... we love you queen.”
A second added: “Exactly this, let’s hope Katie never experiences anything like this because she definitely won’t be worthy of a spot on the news with her attitude.”
Meanwhile, a third and fourth wrote: “@alisonhammond55 lovely response to an awful bully. Keep being you” and “@alisonhammond55 haha perfect response!”
And a fifth agreed: “What a kind response to a HORRIBLE BULLY that this woman is! It just shows what a beautiful human you are, Alison, inside and out. Don’t take any of her poisonous words in, she’s not worth your attention!
“I’ve had panic attacks in the past, and I felt like it was a heart attack too, they are very real and very scary. Love you, Alison, and wish you a peaceful recovery.”
Tyla has contacted a representative for Hopkins for comment.
Topics: Alison Hammond, This Morning, ITV, Health, Mental Health, Celebrity
Madison Burgess