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Entertainment
Simon Duke

This Morning's Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond to host full week in presenter shakeup

This Morning stars Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond have been given a whole week of hosting the show in a presenter shakeup.

The duo, who usually only front the show on Fridays, will be at the helm for all of half term week from Monday, May 31- July 4, replacing Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford who usually cover Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's holidays.

Dermot and Alison have massively divided opinion since taking over Fridays in January, with some viewers immediately calling for Eamonn and Ruth to get their 'old gig' back, while others have described their partnership as a breath of fresh air.

Alison came in for particular praise last week after giving an empowering body confidence message to an anxious viewer.

She and Dermot first met when she was a contestant on Big Brother in 2002, with Dermot hosting sister show Big Brother's Little Brother.

And, talking about their first five months presenting This Morning together, Alison said: "It’s been an absolute dream. I’ve loved every minute of it to be honest! I think the best thing really is getting to know Dermot.

"We had obviously met before and had seen each other over the past twenty years, but we didn’t really know each other. He always shows me pictures and videos of his baby and his cats, so I’m finding out so much more about him and his wonderful family. He’s just a really cool person.”

Dermot added: “Getting to know the lovely Alison even more! That might sound silly because people assume that when two people get a job together that they know each other really really well, and we didn’t.

"I mean, we knew each other and we have always got on very well but we didn’t know each other, so our chemistry has had to grow and adapt on air.

“You know when you just click with someone?

"She really is just wonderful to work with, it’s been great and for me, the shows are about informing, entertaining and having fun, and the Fridays in particular are about gearing up to the weekend - enjoying your Friday and easing yourself into the weekend - and I think we provide that mix brilliantly together.”

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