Alison Hammond backtracks in apology message after backlash to theatre audience comments
ALISON Hammond shared an apology message after receiving backlash to theatre audience comments she made on This Morning earlier this week.
The TV star, co-host Dermot O’Leary, Nick Ferrari and Vanessa Feltz were discussing if people should be allowed to sing at theatres during Wednesday’s instalment of the ITV show.
It came after police were scrambled to a row at Palace Theatre in Manchester this week after The Bodyguard audience members began “trying to sing over the cast”.
After Alison explained the story on This Morning, she said: “I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated. I’m not even going to go to that show now.”
Viewers weren’t happy and today she’s issued an apology on Twitter and Instagram.
Alison said: “After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday’s show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the upmost respect for.
“I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I’m truly sorry.
“I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance, I was wrong in what I said and I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past few days and believe I was wrong.
“On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family.
“I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester which has made me sick to my stomach.”
“Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future.”
On Wednesday’s episode of This Morning, Alison said: “Should you be allowed to sing along in the audience at a show?
“That’s the question being challenged by a theatre in Manchester who have banned audiences from singing their production of Bodyguard musical.
“Staff are taking this very, very seriously and inflicting these rules. They are regularly walking up and down the aisles before the performance and during the interval with ‘No singing’ signs.
“I mean… I can’t believe it.”
Vanessa added: “Isn’t the whole point of going to a musical that you know that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don’t know the words you just make them up.
“Isn’t that what everybody does? And very, very loudly while eating an ice cream.”
The following day Alison visited the Bake Off musical before joining the Channel 4 show.