This Morning viewers have been playing detective, suspecting that the latest episode wasn't as it seemed. Many fans were left disgruntled just minutes into the show on December 30 when they saw hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, a hint that things might not be as they appeared.
On the social media platform X - previously known as Twitter - viewers remembered Alison announcing earlier in the month that she wouldn't be back on screens until January, due to her Birmingham pantomime commitments.
Sharp-eyed fans weren't convinced that the show was live, expressing their frustration just minutes after the episode started, suspecting it was a pre-recorded version - something ITV has neither confirmed nor denied.
Disgruntled viewers took to their keyboards to express their disappointment, with one saying: "This feels prerecorded still #thismorning." Another agreed: "#thismorning Right definitely pre recorded."
Others pointed out: "Alison is doing panto today at 14:30... in Birmingham. Are we led to believe that she will make it from this live show London in time? #ThisMorning."
Another viewer stated: "Yeah this is deffo prerecorded. Bet they're not back till the new year now. Why don't they just take it off till it's back live #thismorning." A fourth complained: "Just have a day off This Morning."
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Viewers were left less than impressed with the episode, criticising it for being filled with old interviews from the archives, including conversations with Jon Bon Jovi and Shania Twain. One disgruntled viewer commented: "We're now being shown a pre-recording of a pre-recording... #ThisMorning."
A second viewer also shared the same sentiment, adding: " Echoing the sentiment, another added: "Not more past interviews, we didn't enjoy them then and we're still not enjoying them now, sort it out #thismorning."
Despite this, Alison Hammond indicated that the show was indeed live. She mentioned to Dermot O'Leary that she would be performing in a pantomime later that day, stating she'd be at the Birmingham Hippodrome "this afternoon and this evening" following the end of the show.
The confusion may have stemmed from Alison's announcement a few weeks prior that it was her last day on This Morning, as she planned to return in January, which had disappointed fans. The Birmingham-born presenter confirmed she'd be taking a short break to focus on other projects.
Currently, Alison is starring as The Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome, a production that began on December 21, 2024, and is set to run until February 2, 2025. Not new to the panto scene, the former Big Brother contestant also appeared in last year's Jack and the Beanstalk at the same venue, embodying the spirit of the bean.
Alison informed viewers that she won't return to ITV until 2024 is complete, wishing everyone: "See you in January. Happy Christmas."
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