This Morning viewers were left surprised after Angela Scanlon stepped in to host alongside Dermot O’Leary, replacing Alison Hammond in what many fans described as a sudden Friday shake-up.
Alison normally fronts the Friday edition of the ITV daytime show with Dermot, while Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley host from Monday to Thursday. But when viewers tuned in, it was Angela who appeared on the famous sofa instead, leaving many people confused.
The moment stood out because the programme had previously promoted Friday’s episode as featuring Alison and Dermot. Viewers had been told the pair would be catching up with Hollywood star Jason Momoa, making Alison’s absence even more noticeable.
Dermot opened the show by warmly introducing Angela, telling viewers she was joining him for the morning. The studio applauded as he welcomed her, and Angela appeared relaxed as she settled into the role.
However, neither presenter addressed Alison’s absence during the opening moments of the broadcast. That silence quickly sparked reaction online, with viewers asking why Alison was not there and whether the change had happened at short notice.
Some fans pointed out that Alison had been mentioned in earlier promotional clips for the show. Others simply said they were surprised to see Angela in her place, especially because Alison has become such a familiar and much-loved part of the Friday line-up.
Despite the confusion, Angela’s appearance was well received by many viewers. The Irish presenter has previously stepped into This Morning roles and is known for her warm, natural style on screen. Her chemistry with Dermot helped keep the programme moving smoothly, even as speculation continued online.
ITV later confirmed that Alison was on planned leave for the day and would also be away the following week. That explanation helped calm some of the speculation, though the lack of an on-air clarification had already turned the presenter change into a talking point.
Alison Hammond remains one of ITV’s most popular daytime stars, loved for her humour, warmth and easy connection with guests. Her absence was therefore always likely to be noticed by loyal viewers.
For Angela Scanlon, the unexpected appearance was another chance to show why she has become a reliable stand-in on the show. For fans, though, the main question was simple: where was Alison?
What began as a routine Friday episode quickly became another example of how even a small change on live daytime TV can spark a huge reaction.
