Alison Hammond concerns This Morning viewers after 'short' tribute to Phillip Schofield

Alison Hammond concerned This Morning viewers as she appeared alongside Dermot O'Leary. The presenters made an unusual appearance at the helm of the ITV daytime show on Monday (May 22) having last appeared in their usual Friday slot last week.

The pair have stepped in after it was announced over the weekend that Phillip Schofield was 'stepping back' from This Morning. ITV announced on Saturday (May 20) that Phillip had sensationally quit This Morning after 20 years.

The 61-year-old said in a statement that the programme had 'become the story' and that he wanted to "do what I can to protect the show that I love" after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair.

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It was confirmed that Holly, 42, who has hosted alongside Schofield since 2009, will remain on the show and co-host alongside other members of the 'This Morning family' but she is taking early half-term holiday leave meaning she won't be back on-screen until Monday, June 5.

Opening Monday's show, Alison and Dermot hailed Phillip as "one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had", as they presented the first episode of This Morning since Phillip's exit was announced.

Alison, 48, started by saying: "We can’t start today’s show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa. Phillip Schofield."

Dermot, 49, continued: "So as a show, everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning on say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years." Alison added: "Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the