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Susan Knox & Kristy Dawson

Alison Hammond 'devastated' as This Morning colleague leaves ITV show

Alison Hammond was left devastated after a colleague on This Morning left the ITV show. Ella Bates has worked as a digital producer on the morning programme for several years.

Mirror Online reports how she called it quits to embark on new horizons and left the team on Friday.

An emotional Alison paid tribute to Ella as she left the programme.

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The 48-year-old said: "I am absolutely devastated that Ella Bates is leaving. She has been a breath of fresh air every single day," an emotional Alison said on Friday.

Alison hasn't been the only This Morning star to share their sadness over her decision to leave the team.

Her co-star Josie Gibson, also took to social media on Friday to bid farewell to Ella.

Josie Gibson also bid farewell to Ella Bates (ITV)

Josie posted: "The day we all got caught in the rain at @coronationstreet while filming @thismorning and then the sunshine came out. When I say sunshine I mean @ella.bates beautiful face.

"Ella I am so so sad to see you leave us. You lighten up any room with your magical energy.

"You are Golden my friend and your going places with that special energy of yours.

"I know you're going to live out your dreams but we are going to miss you so very much."

Amid the ongoing drama surrounding Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's rumoured fallout, experts now reckon that Ella may be closely followed behind by Phillip.

Phillip risks the chance of being replaced by an 'all-female' duo with some viewers hoping that Alison will take over his permanent post and host alongside Holly.

A PR expert told Closer Magazine: "There's an outside chance that there could even be a permanent female duo - Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond have proved incredibly popular and the combo of Alison and Holly recently proved very successful..

"If Phil were to leave, they have a bank of fantastic presenters to step in. Viewers love the likes of Joel Dommett, Craig Doyle and Marvin Humes who could match up with Holly."

The Mirror has reached out to an ITV spokesperson for comment.

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