Body language expert reveals Alison Hammond is ‘feeling the pressure’ of taking on more ‘responsibility’ and makes ‘awkward’ hand gestures after Phillip Schofield’s This Morning axing
Alison Hammond is ‘feeling the pressure’ of taking on more ‘responsibility’ after Phillip Schofield’s axing from This Morning, a body language expert has claimed.
The This Morning host, 48, and Dermot O’Leary are currently standing in as co-hosts after Phillip’s sudden exit while Holly Willoughby has gone on her holidays early.
Now, Betfair’s body language expert Darren Stanton told MailOnline Alison looked to be ‘feeling the pressure’ in her presenting role on the ITV breakfast show this week.
He said although Alison is generally ‘very confident’, she often clasps her hands together in front of her in what appears to be a sign of ‘awkwardness’.
He explained: ‘As Phillip and Holly have been the main presenters for so long, I think there is a lot of pressure on Alison’s shoulders.’
Pressure: Alison Hammond is ‘feeling the pressure’ of taking on more ‘responsibility’ after Phillip Schofield’s axing from This Morning, a body language expert has claimed
‘When you look at Alison’s presenting, she tends to clasp and lock her hands a lot when she’s reading from the autocue,’ he continued.
‘Then, she will release them, and bring them together again or place them in front. These are all pacifying gestures, which is what we do when we feel awkward. Overall, Alison is very confident, but it’s clear she is feeling the pressure now.’
The expert went on to look at her presenting style with Dermot, 50, compared to Craig Doyle, who she appeared on the This Morning sofa with on Wednesday.
Darren claimed she feels more ‘connected and confident’ alongside Dermot, but said she is the ‘most prevalent person’ and takes the lead in both dynamics.
He said: ‘She is definitely a lot more confident with Dermot by her side, as they present together a lot more. She feels more connected with Dermot.
‘I think she knows that if she does make a mistake, he has the experience to carry it on and pick up the slack.
‘Alison’s body language has changed over the years with This Morning as she now has a greater responsibility.’
He continued: ‘Whether she is presenting with Craig or Dermot, she appears to be the stronger person in the dynamic – but I can tell she feels the pressure as the most prevalent person in the running.’
Exit: His comments come after Phillip stepped down from This Morning over the weekend after 21 years amid a reported feud with co-star Holly
Stepping in: The This Morning host, 48, and Dermot O’Leary are currently standing in as co-hosts after Phillip’s sudden exit while Holly Willoughby has gone on her holiday early
Darren also addressed Alison’s strong relationship with ITV viewers, commenting that she has a ‘trust’ with her loyal audiences, amid speculation she could take over from Phillip.
He added: ‘She’s brought in a lot of success for the show, and people do connect with Alison because she’s authentic and never holds herself back from expressing herself. It creates trust and a rapport between her and the audience.’
His comments come after Phillip stepped down from This Morning over the weekend after 21 years amid a reported feud with co-star Holly.
Regular Friday hosts Alison and Dermot have taken over for two weeks while Holly enjoys a half term break – but it has yet not been announced who will co-host with her when she returns.
Alison and Dermot, who co-host the show on Fridays, are hot contenders to take over Phil’s role permanently given their experience on the show.
Alison is currently the bookmaker Ladbrokes favourite to take on the role, giving her 2/1 odds.
Alison and Dermot started Monday’s episode by paying tribute to Phillip but made no mention of the controversy on Tuesday, instead cheerfully dancing to Club Tropicana as they came on air.
With a smile, Alison said: ‘Hi all and welcome to your Tuesday’s This Morning! Little bit of Club Tropicana!’
The pair then discussed the sunny weather before announcing that Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley would be on the show.
Alison and Dermot opened Monday’s show with a 30-second tribute to Phil, while his name was also removed from the show’s credits – less than 48 hours after he left.
Uncomfortable? He said although Alison is generally ‘very confident’, she often clasps her hands together in front of her in what appears to be a sign of ‘awkwardness’
Co-stars: The expert went on to compare her presenting style with Dermot, 50, compared to Craig Doyle (pictured), who she appeared on the This Morning sofa with on Wednesday
Alison and Dermot began the show by briefly addressing his exit, but there was no montage, just a single photo of Phil on screen and around half a minute of warm words.
READ MORE: So who could replace axed Phillip Schofield on This Morning?
Opening the broadcast, Alison said: ‘We can’t start today’s show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa. Phillip Schofield.’
Dermot added: ‘So as a show, everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning on say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years.’
Alison continued: ‘Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future.’
Phillip announced over the weekend that he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with ‘immediate effect’ after more than 20 years on the programme.
His departure came amid reports of a rift between him and Holly, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail after being convicted of child sex offences.
Phillip said in his statement: ‘I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
‘Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.’
Holly said: ‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’
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Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, said: ‘Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.
‘This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week.
‘We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come.’
Holly and Phillip have reportedly called a truce in a private chat, with Phillip agreeing to leave the show in a deal which will ensure he gets a new solo-presenting gig – and can keep discussions open about his future on other shows such as Dancing On Ice.
Phil reportedly has just ‘tatters’ of his friendship with Willoughby left after he allegedly failed to tell her about his brother’s child sexual abuse case.
An ITV source told the Mirror last night: ‘Phil’s fate was decided on Friday. It was a unanimous decision that he had to go.
‘He was upset, but firm that if he was going to walk away he wanted to keep his roles on The Cube, the British Soap Awards, and Dancing on Ice – crucially, with or without Holly.
‘It has all been worked out in the smoothest way possible, but behind the scenes he has told friends he has been hung out to dry. And his friendship with Holly is now in tatters.
Tension: Phillip’s exit came amid reports of a rift between him and Holly, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail after being convicted of child sex offences
Two sides: Holly and Phil have enjoyed support from inside and outside ITV in recent weeks
‘It is hard to see how it could recover. The fact he chose to pointedly thank people who supported him – and the viewers – without mentioning her says it all.’
The once inseparable pair had increasingly grown apart in recent months, but the split became final after Phil was said to have kept Holly, 42, in the dark about his brother’s child sex abuse trial.
He issued a pointed statement on social media thanking fans for their support, but failed to mention Holly at all.
It is understood that Phil, who was described as ‘a broken man’, was digging his heels in to stay until the end, and that it took ‘much persuasion’ for him to agree to terminate his contract immediately. It means last Thursday was his final appearance on This Morning.
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