Alison Hammond called out by This Morning guest for missing charity event: ‘We needed you’
‘We needed you and you never came,’ the eight-year-old told presenter
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
This Morning host Alison Hammond has been called out by a young fundraiser for not showing up to a charity event she said she’d be at.
On Friday (11 August), Hammond interviewed Tony Hudgell, an eight-year-old who had both his legs amputated after being abused as a baby by his biological parents who caused him organ failure, fracture and sepsis.
Hudgell previously appeared on the ITV show to discuss his charity trek up Orrest Head, a hill in the Lake District, and Hammond told the youngster she would be present for the expedition.
However, she didn’t show up and Hudgell didn’t let her away with it. While appearing on the show via video link alongside adoptive parents Paula and Mark, Hudgell told Hammond: “We needed you – you never came.”
Hammond’s co-host Josie Gibson started laughing, with Hammond taking the moment in her stride: “Well, what it was, Tony, I was recording... Listen, because I do need to explain to you. I was recording an episode of Bake Off and I couldn’t make it.
Rob Brydon admits it ‘stings’ when people question why he was cast in Barbie: ‘I am not without ego’
The new Dracula horror that’s been praised by Stephen King and Guillermo del Toro
Grayson Perry on popularity, pottery and class: ‘I still enjoy looking for discomfort in the faces of the overeducated’
“But next time, I’m gonna try my best to be there. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I am disappointed in myself, and I am sure everyone was disappointed that I wasn’t there. But you did it! You did it on everyone’s behalf, and I’m so proud of you.”
At the end of the interview, Gibson, revealing that Hudgell had “raised over £40,000”, said: “And Alison’s got some news.”
Hammond said: “Because I wasn’t there, is it alright if we put £500 into the kitty as well? Would you forgive me then?”
Hudgell, smiling, nodded in approval.
In March 2023, Hammond was announced to be Matt Lucas’s replacement on Channel 4 series The Great British Bake Off, in which she will join Noel Fielding.
On Saturday (12 August), ITV announced it had hired a new male presenter to host this Wednesday’s show with Josie Gibson.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments