Alison Hammond is reportedly in duty of care meetings due to cruel trolling over news she is replacing Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on This Morning.
The TV legend, 45, is said to be struggling to cope with the ‘vitriol’ she has been faced with and ITV are working to ensure ‘staying positive’ after previous criticism over their after-care, in cases such as Love Island and Jeremy Kyle.
It was explosively revealed last month that Alison would join Dermot O’Leary in taking over from the show veterans, who typically take the Friday slot, while Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield remain Monday to Thursday.
Confirmed: Alison Hammond is reportedly in duty of care meetings due to cruel trolling over news she is replacing Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on This Morning (pictured with her new co-host Dermot O’Leary)
Insiders told The Sun: ‘Alison is a tough cookie, but the vitriol from some so-called fans of This Morning has been impossible for her to ignore.
‘As a result of Love Island and Jeremy Kyle tragedies, ITV are very serious about duty of care and arranged to sit down with Alison to see how she was. Alison confided that while the Friday gig is a dream come true, staying positive is a battle.
‘She was given advice on how to stay strong mentally and prepared for what to expect after the announcement was confirmed. Now Alison is determined to move on from the drama and prove to everyone why she deserved this job.’
Love Island has seen a slew of tragedies, including Sophie Gradon, Mike Thalassitis and Caroline Flack all dying of suicide, while Jeremy Kyle was taken off air permanently after a guest on the show took his own life.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for ITV and Alison for comment.
Replaced: Show veterans Eamonn and Ruth – who have presented This Morning for 14 years – will be demoted to hosting the ITV favourite during holidays
On Monday, the replacement was confirmed, with an announcement revealing that 60-year-old show veterans Eamonn and Ruth – who have presented This Morning for 14 years – will be demoted to hosting the ITV favourite during holidays.
The incoming presenters will begin their new coveted jobs on January 8th, joining a lineup that also includes main hosts Phillip, 58, and Holly, 39.
Breaking her silence on the shake-up following weeks of speculation, Alison, 45, said in a statement: ‘I never dreamt that when I first joined This Morning – initially for a few months – that I would still be there 19 years later.
‘I genuinely care about the show and the viewers who watch, so it’s a huge privilege and honour to be hosting a show I adore so much. I’m just really excited to be doing even more of what I love alongside the lovely Dermot.’
Pals: The news comes after Alison revealed that presenters on This Morning aren’t the best of friends, amid claims she’s locked in a feud with Ruth and Eamonn
Sharing his own statement, co-host Dermot, 47, said: ‘I’m deeply thrilled and honoured to be joining the This Morning team next year. We have huge shoes to fill and we are well aware what a privilege it is to be stepping into them.
‘Above all, we want to have fun and for you to be able to kick your weekend off with a smile, especially given the year we’ve all had.’
The news comes after Alison revealed that presenters on This Morning aren’t the best of friends, amid claims she’s locked in a feud with Ruth and Eamonn.
Speaking out: In an interview conducted before the shakeup was revealed, Alison claimed that only main hosts Holly and Phillip Schofield are off-camera pals
In an interview conducted before the shakeup was revealed, Alison claimed that only main hosts Holly and Phillip Schofield are off-camera pals.
The TV personality, who attended Ruth and Eamonn’s 2010 wedding, told The Sun: ‘We’re not on top of each other, do you know what I mean?
‘Phillip and Holly, they go on holiday together. They genuinely love each other, in a brother and sister way.
‘But literally when we finish everyone wants to go home to their families and see them. We’ve got it just right I think. But no they all go and do their own thing.’