British television presenter Alison Hammond has revealed that she suffered a panic attack live on air during a broadcast of the daytime show This Morning on ITV.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, when the host experienced a sudden rapid heart rate while on set and was forced to step away from the live camera crew. Hammond was subsequently hospitalised for medical evaluation, according to a report published by British news publication The Independent.
Following her hospital admission, Hammond got in touch to confirm that medical staff had performed thorough tests on her heart and lungs, with all results coming back clear and normal. She later stated that she had suffered a panic attack, admitting that she had only recently experienced the condition for the first time and stating that she needed to learn more about it.
ITV presenter and daytime broadcast history
Hammond is a prominent television personality in the United Kingdom, having established herself as a household name following her initial television appearance on the reality show Big Brother. She has served for many years as a regular presenter and interviewer on This Morning, a flagship live daytime magazine show produced by commercial network ITV. The programme, which has aired on weekday mornings since 1988, covers a wide mix of topical news, celebrity features, and lifestyle discussions.
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense anxiety or fear that causes severe physical symptoms, including a racing heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Because the sudden physical onset of palpitations can mimic serious cardiovascular or respiratory emergencies, medical professionals routinely perform detailed diagnostic checks on the heart and lungs to ensure there are no underlying physical conditions.
Live broadcast disruptions on British television
The report regarding Hammond follows another recent incident on live television in the United Kingdom, where famous comedian Peter Kay disrupted a weather forecast on the BBC network. The comic caused chaotic scenes in the studio, which temporarily rendered the weather presenters unable to continue hosting the live program.
