This Morning’s Alison Hammond praised as ‘best ever host’ as on her first day taking over from Eamonn and Ruth

THIS Morning fans praised Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary today as they hosted their first show after replacing Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes.

The new hosts were a hit with viewers today who flooded Twitter when they saw the 45-year-old showbiz reporter and X Factor host Dermot taking the reigns.

Alison and Dermot introduced This Morning with a chat about her solo Karaoke sessions on Instagram and she had Dermot in hysterics as she revealed she dropped a thousand viewers when she sang a terrible rendition of ‘Oh Happy Day’.

The pair moved on to first ever item, a chat with a woman who claimed she can predict what is going to happen in the future just by throwing asparagus.

The presenters tried not to laugh as they spoke to Mystic Veg, Jemima Packington, who said she first realised she had the gift aged seven.

Jemima showed off her talents and predicted the Olympics WILL happen via Zoom and Alison will get a boyfriend these year.

Alison joked: “There’s definitely a new man in my life, and that’s you Dermot!”

Viewers were impressed by the new hosts chemistry and one tweeted: “Best thing I’ve seen on tv this year (ok it’s not been long) …a woman predicting 2021 by throwing asparagus



#ThisMorning”

Another penned: “@thismorning best decision with the change loving a Friday with Alison and Dermot #ThisMorning”

As more tweeted: “ThisMorning with Alison and Dermot brings me much joy!”

Married pair Eamonn and Ruth who have presented This Morning for 14 years, have been bumped down to hosting the show during holidays.

Alison reportedly turned down her new role on This Morning when she was first asked – before changing her mind and taking the job.

Alison was ‘initially unsure about the gig as she was worried about how it would be perceived’.

A source claims: “Alison has been on This Morning for more than a decade and had never been offered this job before.

“It’s not Goodbye from us, it’s simply Au Revoir until the next half term.”

“Then [editor] Martin Frizell makes a big announcement that he wants a black presenter and she is wanted for the role. ITV decided last year they wanted diversity on their programmes and then they decided to offer the presenting job to Alison.

“Alison was happy as she was, she loved interviewing the likes of George Clooney. She is amazing at it and it was enough for her.”

A spokesperson for ITV told the newspaper: “To suggest that Alison’s position on This Morning is a result of anything other than talent and popularity with viewers is completely untrue.”