Dermot O'Leary fails to turn up on time to ITV This Morning leaving Alison Hammond solo - but it wasn't as it seemed

Dermot O'Leary is used to hosting This Morning on a Friday but it seems his unusual Monday shift on the show passed him by as Alison Hammond was left flying solo.

The hosting duo, who have been the main presenters on the ITV daytime show alongside Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield since January 2021, are taking over the show this week while Holly and Phil take their annual Easter break.

They'll host the show from Monday, April 4, until Friday, April 8, and next week Josie Gibson and Vernon Kay will be brought back together after winning over viewers as hosts before Christmas.

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As usual, Ranvir Singh, who is filling in for Lorraine Kelly on her self-titled show, headed to find out what was to come on today's This Morning after finishing up an interview with Patrick Kielty.

As Alison appeared on-screen, brightening up the This Morning studio in a pastel purple blazer, Ranvir was quick to realise Dermot was missing. "Where is he?" Ranvir asked as Patrick also wondered where his old pal had gotten to. "Where's O'Leary?" he echoed.

"Can you believe this," Alison said. "He's apparently running a bit late but he's apparently going to arrive in style. But here's what we have coming up on today's show, it's a goodie."

The 47-year-old then explained what was coming up on the show. As she finished her brief segment, Ranvir chipped in: "I'll tell you what, Patrick can do a presenting. He's on his way round to the next door studio," Ranvir told Alison. Patrick then said: "If he's phoning it in Alison give me a shout."

Alison laughed and said: "I will," as Ranvir commented: "I hope Dermot arrives on time,"