Alison Hammond has opened up about the harrowing experience that forced her to exit ITV’sThis Morningmid-broadcast last Friday. The 51-year-old presenter, who was taken to the hospital for cardiac checks, revealed that she had suffered a severe panic attack while on air, describing the event as one of the most frightening ordeals she has ever faced.
Returning to her regular Friday slot alongside co-host Dermot O’Leary, Hammond shared her relief at being back. She explained that the onset of the attack was sudden and overwhelming, mimicking the physical symptoms of a heart attack. “It just was like a wave, something which I’ve now found out is adrenaline,” she told viewers. “I couldn’t catch my breath and I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. It felt very real.” I felt like I went into the other world – what’s that show that I loved. Babes, she concluded the segment by telling viewers: “I’m back.
Hammond admitted that the professional setting added a layer of distress to the situation. “It was the first time I’ve ever experienced anything like that. Secondly it was live on TV so I thought, oh my gosh, my son might be watching. So I just ran. I ran off TV. I would never do that normally but I just couldn’t catch my breath.” She likened the surreal, disorienting sensation to the “Upside Down” world from the television seriesStranger Things.
Addressing the challenges of her return to the studio, she noted that she felt a personal necessity to come back immediately to avoid associating the show with her anxiety. “I’ll be honest with you, I was anxious about coming back. But I thought, if I don’t come back today, I probably wouldn’t come back… because then I would have made a thing that it’sThis Morningthat’s causing the panic. But it can happen anywhere. It comes in ebbs and flows.”
Understanding Panic Attacks
- Nature: An extreme anxiety response that can affect anyone regardless of background or history.
- Symptoms: Often include choking sensations, tingling, or chest pain, which can be easily confused with heart issues.
- Duration: Typically lasting between five and 20 minutes, they are described by experts as “anxiety on overdrive.”
- Management: Techniques include grounding oneself by focusing on the immediate surroundings and regulating breathing patterns.
Psychologist Dr. Sian Williams, who appeared on the show to discuss the condition, clarified the distinction between medical emergencies and panic attacks. She explained that while symptoms like chest pain can overlap, a heart attack typically involves radiating pain in areas such as the arm or jaw and does not subside with grounding techniques or steady breathing in the same way. The MIND mental health charity also notes that panic attacks represent an intense anxiety response that develops rapidly. She and Williams also discussed the pressure of presenting live TV. “I do live TV all the time, I didn’t realise it was having – I don’t know if it was having an impact – the fact that you have to be ‘on’ in order to do it.
Prior to her return, Hammond had updated followers via a video message, mentioning she was “getting my old ticker checked out” following a “bit of a palpitation.” Her absence led her to miss Wednesday’s Attitude Awards, where she was honored with The Honorary Gay Award. During her Friday appearance, she maintained a lighthearted note at times, even parodying a famous 2023 monologue from former presenter Holly Willoughby to the amusement of Lorraine Kelly. Earlier, looking ahead to the programme on ITV’s Lorraine, Hammond had appeared to parody former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby’s 2023 monologue, which she famously began by asking viewers “are you OK?” in the wake of co-host Phillip Schofield’s departure. Who declared it “genius”, that line was met with laughter by Lorraine Kelly.
Looking forward, Hammond expressed a renewed sense of gratitude and a commitment to prioritizing her health. “I’m so glad I’m here. I feel so grateful,” she said, thanking O’Leary for his support. “I’m so happy that I’m here, and I’m so happy to see you. I’m so glad we’re alive, and if anything it’s made me look at life so much differently. Taking stock, look after my health. I’m drinking a lot of water.” To everything in life, i feel so thankful to God. And I’m so happy to see you,” she said, putting both hands on Dermot’s cheeks before hugging him, i’m so happy that I’m here.
