Alison Hammond calls Ruth Langsford ‘a beauty’ after This Morning shake-up

She is set to become This Morning’s first permanent black presenter, replacing Ruth Langsford following a huge shake-up by ITV bosses.

And Alison Hammond has complimented the longtime This Morning host, 60, by calling her a ‘beauty’ on Instagram.

Ruth shared a stunning snap of herself in a blue v-neck jumper decorated with leopard-print stars, prompting the friendly response from the TV personality, 45.

Alison, who first appeared on screen as a contestant in Big Brother, wrote alongside Ruth’s post: ‘What a beauty [heart emoji]’

But it does not appear that the compliment has received a public response from Ruth, who has seemingly not yet liked or replied to the comment. 

Ruth and Alison already made headlines this week after the pair had to interact on Wednesday’s show in their first encounter since the big news was announced.

But viewers quickly took to social media afterwards to brand the conversation between the two women as a tad ‘awkward’.

Alison was co-hosting This Morning with Phillip Schofield, and had to do a live link to the Loose Women studio – another show which Ruth presents.

As they did, Ruth said hello to Phil, but seemingly snubbed Alison – not mentioning her at all. Alison merely waved, quietly, as she watched on.

Reactions from Twitter included one person remarking: ‘Ruth speaking to Phil and ignoring Alison on this morning. Awkward!’ 

While another posted: ‘Slightly awkward that Alison is presenting #ThisMorning today and then Ruth pops up on Loose Women!’

Someone else branded it ‘drama’, as others re-voiced their feelings about the presenting shake-up. 

It was previously revealed that Alison and Dermot O’Leary would be replacing Ruth and her husband Eamonn Holmes, 60, as hosts on This Morning.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the married couple had been dropped from the ITV chat show after both presenting the hit Friday morning slot for 14 years.

But the duo will continue to host the ITV show from Monday to Thursday during the schools’ six-week summer holiday.

Fan-favourite Alison, and Dermot, 47, impressed both viewers and ITV bosses when they covered for main hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in the summer.

And on Monday, Alison announced that she has also landed her own podcast, tweeting: ‘Guess what? @ITV have given me my very own podcast – My Life In TV.’

‘I’ll delve into the fave telly moments & memories of famous faces including [Emily Atack, Joel Dommett, AJ Odudu, Mo Gilligan, and Olivia Attwood].’

News of the This Morning line-up comes just five months after This Morning editor Martin Frizell told staff that he was planning to hire a black presenter.

During a video conference with staff in June, he said: ‘There is not a black presenter on any of the programmes today. 

‘We plan to change that, we [This Morning] are looking into that.’ 

But Eamonn and Ruth were said to be ‘disappointed and devastated’ by the big news, as they have ‘loved’ their stint presenting on This Morning.

Fern Britton, 63, who hosted the popular daytime show between 1999 and 2009, took to Twitter after hearing the big news and said ‘Oh no?’.

But the presenter also tweeted: ‘That doesn’t take away from the fact Alison Hammond is a superstar who deserves the world. Overlooked for far too long by ITV, this is her moment.’ 

And Eammon and Ruth have been assured that they remain ‘part of the This Morning family’ and will likely be asked to cover when other presenters are on holiday.

Last Saturday night, a This Morning source said: ‘Ruth and Eamonn have been part of the show for 14 years and being told they are no longer wanted has been very sad and disappointing for them.  

‘They love it and the viewers love them, but times are changing on the show and they have been the victims.’