Alison Hammond had an unpleasant conversation after politely asking a coworker whether they were going to the same event.
Alison presented with Holly Willoughby on Tuesday’s This Morning, while former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler crossed to them from the O2 Arena throughout the morning.
While introducing the show’s competition specifics for the day, Kate also chatted with the hosts about the National Television Awards, which are being hosted at the venue tonight, including the all-important seating plan.
However, while discussing the awards, Alison asked the presenter whether they’d get a chance to catch up, and the reaction was as awkward as you’d think.
Kate started their chat by saying she’d gotten some sweets for the two and would be concealing brownies under their seats.
‘Hopefully we will see you later too! Are we seeing you later? Are you going to be there as well? Please say you are,’ Alison asked.
Taking it in stride, Kate informed Alison that she had not been invited and would not be attending the glitzy awards ceremony.
‘No babes, we’ve had this conversation already. I didn’t get an invite. I will be watching it at home on the telly with a bucket of popcorn,’ she said.
Alison invited Kate to be her plus one in an attempt to dig herself out of a hole, but the damage had already been done.
‘Well, that was embarrassing, wasn’t it?’ Alison remarked when the segment concluded. I had no idea she wasn’t invited. I’ll have to figure this out. I’ll try to pull some strings.’
The alleged snub comes amid reports of This Morning staff members becoming ‘furious’ after not receiving invites.
It is believed that Holly, Alison, and Dermot O’Leary were given precedence over behind-the-scenes staff on the award-winning daytime programme.
This Morning’s celebration will only include on-screen performers and key executives.
A source revealed to The Sun the programme was reportedly ‘slimming down’ the number of attendees.
‘People are upset at the slimming down, as the show is such a group effort and the awards are usually a big night out for the whole team,’ they said.
‘They’re blaming the cost-of-living crisis but seem to be splashing the cash elsewhere.’
‘It doesn’t help to shut down rumours of a toxic atmosphere,’ the insider also said.
They added: ‘Some people suspect that bosses know it isn’t going to be a stellar year for This Morning after all the scandal.’
An ITV source also told the publication there were fewer staff attending ‘due to budget cuts’.
The National Television Awards 2023 airs tonight from 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
