Alison Hammond shares what actually happened after abruptly rushing off This Morning
Alison Hammond has revealed what really happened after she abruptly rushed off the set of This Morning clutching her chest, leaving viewers fearing something was seriously wrong.
The presenter had been hosting the ITV programme alongside Dermot O’Leary when the unexpected incident happened on Friday afternoon.
Everything had appeared to be business as usual before Hammond suddenly began panting and breathing heavily.
She was seen clutching her chest before leaving the studio, with O'Leary escorting her away from the set.
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The sudden departure was particularly alarming for viewers because Hammond is known for her larger-than-life personality and dedication to her roles on This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, so for her to leave meant something was seriously wrong.
O'Leary was left to continue the show as Alison was taken away to receive medical attention.
She was subsequently taken to hospital, where doctors carried out checks after she experienced what she described as a palpitation.
A few hours later, Alison addressed her worried fans from her hospital bed and tried to reassure them that she was being looked after.
“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 had a little bit of a palpitation, and now I’m getting it all checked out. But I think I’m OK. I’m hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that.
“I love you all. Thank you for all your lovely messages. I’m so sorry I left you! I would never normally do that,” she added.
“I would never leave a TV show, so you know I wasn’t very well.
“But hopefully I’m gonna be alright. The doctors are so lovely, and they’re checking me out, it will be fine, I'm rocking it, I've still got my makeup on from this morning."
Alison's health update
After being discharged from hospital, the 51-year-old presenter later returned to social media with a clearer explanation of what had happened.
“I’m home, I’m safe and I’m feeling so much better,” Alison said.
“Thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs, bloods. I’m all okay. It’s all clear.
“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.”
Alison also thanked the people who had supported her during the frightening incident.
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at This Morning who looked after me. All of your messages. Dermot, who’s just been incredible.
“Honestly, it’s really warmed my heart. I didn’t necessarily want to be on the news or anything like that but this is a new world to me.
“I’m going to take stock, get some rest and I’ll see you soon.”
Panic attack symptoms
The experience is a reminder of how physical a panic attack can feel.
The NHS says panic attacks can cause a racing heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, trembling, nausea and a feeling of losing control.
They usually last between five and 20 minutes.
Importantly, the NHS also warns that many panic-attack symptoms can occur with other medical conditions, meaning new or worrying physical symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be anxiety.
In Alison’s case, she was checked by medical professionals before being reassured that her heart, lungs and blood tests were clear.
The latest NHS England Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey found that 1% of adults in England met the criteria for panic disorder, while one in five adults had a common mental health condition in the week assessed.
For Alison, the priority now is recover, and after the scare, she said she planned to ‘take stock’ and get some rest.
According to the NHS, symptoms can include:
- Racing heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath or very fast breathing
- Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Nausea
- Hot flushes or chills
- Tingling or numbness
- A choking sensation
- A feeling of losing control
- A sudden feeling of dread or fear of dying
- A churning stomach
- Feeling detached from your body
Anyone experiencing new, severe or unexplained chest pain or breathing difficulties should seek urgent medical advice rather than assuming the symptoms are caused by a panic attack.
Topics: Alison Hammond, TV And Film, ITV, Health
Jen Thomas