ITV blast ‘nonsense’ Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary rumours

Dermot O'Leary, Alison Hammond

The rumours surrounding their relationship have been dismissed (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

ITV has addressed the claims surrounding Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond’s ‘strained relationship’ and dismissed the rumours as ‘nonsense’.

The This Morning duo were said to be worrying producers, as Alison, 48, and Dermot, 50, may have had to present apart, but the broadcaster has now blasted any rumours.

The claims came weeks after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were reportedly ‘barely speaking’, after it emerged that their relationship had cooled behind the scenes.

Days later, Schofield, 61, quit This Morning and later sensationally resigned from all his ITV projects including hosting the British Soap Awards, after revealing he had an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a young male show runner.

In the meantime, while Holly took a break from the show, Alison and Dermot stepped in, while also being in the run to replace Schofield on the programme.

However, earlier today, a source said:  ‘Alison and Dermot got off to a tricky start, they had very different levels of experience and came from totally different places but they then did start to rub along quite nicely.

Holly Willoughby continues presenting This Morning after Phillip Schofield’s bombshell exit (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The insider continued to Mail on Sunday: ‘Recently though things have become strained and it is worrying the bosses, they fear that this couple they put together which they had hoped would carry the show through the tough times it is enduring may have to present apart a bit more.’

They added that Alison and Holly’s relationship has also ‘cooled off a bit lately’ despite once being ‘as thick as thieves’.

ITV has since addressed the rumours, with a source telling Metro.co.uk: ‘This is absolute nonsense. There’s no tension between Alison and Dermot, quite the opposite.’

An ITV spokesperson added: ‘Alison, Dermot and Holly are all valued members of the This Morning family and all enjoy working together on the show, as well as having friendships outside of the show.’

This comes after claims ITV bosses were keen to ‘lock in’ Alison with a supposed deal that could land her a salary of £500,000.

 Alison Hammond

Alison was reportedly in line for a ‘new deal’ (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)

A source had reportedly previously confirmed that ITV bosses were looking at game show projects and light entertainment options for the 48-year-old, who was announced this year as the new Great British Bake Off host.

An insider shared: ‘ITV bosses want to cut a new deal with Alison. They are seriously worried about Holly talking to the BBC and fear she could be next.

‘She is incredibly popular and is perceived as very honest – which is worth a lot following Phillip’s admission that he lied to everyone.’

They added to the Mirror: ‘They want to lock her in, and there has even been talk of a golden ­handcuffs deal solely for entertainment shows with ITV.’

The source suggested a deal like that could land her a salary of up to £500,000 per year, but insisted that there are ‘currently no plans in place for that’.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

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