Alison Hammond's friend Kate Lawler fires back at Katie Hopkins for mocking 'heart attack scare'
One of Alison Hammond's closest gal pals has hit back at Katie Hopkins after the controversial commentator mocked the This Morning star's terrifying on-air health scare.
Former Big Brother star Kate Lawler didn't hold back while accepting an award on Hammond's behalf at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards last night (8 Oct), where she also shared an emotional update about just how frightening the incident had been for her pal, as per Metro.
It comes after Hammond, 51, was forced to leave ITV's flagship daytime show during a live broadcast last week, before later confirming she'd been given the all-clear following hospital checks.
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But while Alison has received an outpouring of support from fans, Katie Hopkins sparked outrage with her response to the incident.
Here's a reminder of everything that's happened...
Hammond's live television health scare
Fans were left concerned on Friday (2 Oct) when Hammond suddenly left the set of This Morning while hosting an interview alongside Dermot O’Leary.
The presenter appeared to struggle as she clutched her chest before leaving the studio.
Following an advert break, Dermot explained to viewers: "Alison is feeling a little unwell, so she’s just had to duck out."
Alison later took to Instagram to reassure fans that she was getting checked over in hospital.
She explained that she was having her heart examined and hoped the incident was 'just a little panic attack or something like that'.
The scare understandably left viewers worried about the much-loved presenter, who has become a familiar face on British television.
Hopkins mocks the star's 'panic attack'
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for right-leaning commentator Katie Hopkins to weigh in on Hammond's ill, posting a video in which she questioned the attention the TV star had received.
Hopkins began in a scathing post: "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."
She continued by making derogatory comments about Hammond's weight and questioning why she had been taken to hospital.
Hopkins 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."
The 51-year-old went on to criticise the attention Hammond had received, saying there were people living with chronic conditions and terminal diagnoses who deserved more screentime.
Hopkins added: "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've 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 concluded: "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 comments prompted widespread backlash, with viewers defending Hammond and highlighting how frightening panic attacks can be.
But the presenter herself delivered a response that many felt was far more gracious than Hopkins' remarks.
Replying directly to the video, she 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."
Lawler fires back at Hopkins' remarks
Now, Hammond's close friend of 25 years, Kate Lawler, has also weighed in, and she certainly didn't mince her words.
Lawler attended the Attitude Awards on Wednesday (7 October), where Bake Off host Hammond was honoured with the Honorary Gay Award but was unable to attend in person.
Accepting the award on Hammond's behalf, Lawyer - who first met the star on Big Brother in 2002. explained how frightening the incident had been for her friend.
"Having that moment happen so publicly was incredibly difficult," she said.
Lawler then addressed Hopkins' comments directly, making a middle-finger gesture before delivering a furious message.
She said: "I’ve spoken to Alison since and it was one of the scariest things she’s gone through. She didn’t think she was having a panic attack, she thought she was having a f****** heart attack. So go crawl under the hole you came out of, you bigot."
The remarks reportedly drew loud cheers and applause from the audience.
Hammond shares emotional statement after missing the awards
Although she couldn’t attend the ceremony, the much-loved This Morning host had prepared a heartfelt acceptance speech for Lawyer to read out.
In it, Hammond opened up about how difficult it had been to find herself struggling rather than being the person bringing joy and laughter to others.
Hammond said: "I’ve always tried to bring joy, laughter and positivity to people. So suddenly being a person struggling, rather than making everyone else laugh, is a very vulnerable place to be."
She continued: "I’m learning that vulnerability isn’t a weakness, and that’s something this community has taught me throughout with love."
The ITV star also addressed the fact that her health scare had happened so publicly, adding: "Some of you may have seen I’ve 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."
Despite the difficult circumstances, Hammond still managed to inject some of her trademark humour into the speech.
She also praised her co-host for the way he had dealt with the incident, saying: "Dermot O’Leary handled it beautifully."
Hammond continued: "Although, between you and me, I think Dermot deserves his own Gay Award because he’s probably the gayest straight man I know. He’s basically honorary gay already; he just hasn’t got the paperwork like me."
Topics: Alison Hammond, ITV, This Morning, UK News, Celebrity
Rhianna Benson