This Morning's Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary address 'elephant in room' after 'toxicity' claims

Presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond appeared to address claims of ‘toxicity’ at ITV’s This Morning following Phillip Schofield’s resignation from the show last week.

As Monday’s episode started, Dermot said: “We all know we happen to be in the news at the moment and of course we appreciate that but just from both of us, the whole team here, the crew, the guys downstairs, we love making this show for all of you.”

Co-host Alison Hammond added: “We really do and that’s exactly what we are going to do, we are going to continue to do that.” Gyles Brandreth, who is in the studio to review the news stories of the day, said: “We are very happy to be here, can I say that as well?

READ MORE: Phillip Schofield releases new statement and hits back at 'toxic' claims

“This is a happy place to work, I enjoy coming in here and have done since I began coming in. We are happy people in a happy place.”

The presenters then continued with the show and went on to discuss today’s news stories, although there was no further mention of media coverage of This Morning. Viewers took to Twitter to comment on the awkward situation, with many describing it as the “elephant in the room”.

@ciarale01 wrote: "Dermot and Alison just addressed the elephant in the room! #awks" while @IndeedItsMark added: "Fair play to Dermot and Alison, that the elephant in the room is mentioned at the top of the news review - as the show is featured across 5 ‘red tops’ today Convincing and enough? You’re the judge."

Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair. On Sunday night former This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh hit out at the show’s “toxic” culture in a