Alison Hammond and Rochelle Humes delighted fans as they presented as a duo on Friday’s edition of This Morning.
The former The Saturdays star, 31, has stepped in to co-host the show on Fridays and was joined by the TV presenter, 45, who made her debut as co-host despite being a This Morning mainstay.
Their appearance on the daytime talk show marks the first time there has been black female presenting duo working together on ITV, as Rochelle previously co-hosted with Ore Oduba and has also previously presented.
‘They’re keepers!’ This Morning viewers were left in hysterics by co-presenters Alison Hammond and Rochelle Humes on Friday’s edition of the show
Amid calls for This Morning to hire permanent non-white stars to present the show, Rochelle, Alison, and Ore have been put on the presenting rosta, while hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield take their summer break.
Opening with a flourish, Rochelle teased having a ‘mystery partner’ while talking ahead of the show while speaking to Andi Peters, who is currently sitting in for Lorraine Kelly on her show.
And then when introducing Alison, she said: ‘She’s shy. retiring, sort of doesn’t want anyone to make a fuss. It’s only Alison Hammond!’
To the tune of jubilant music Alison then entered the studio with her arms in the air as she declared: ‘Yes you knew it, I’m here bubs. I’m on the show.’
Making an entrance: Opening with a flourish, Rochelle talked about her ‘mystery partner’ before introducing Alison to the sound of triumphant music
Exciting: Their appearance on the daytime talk show marks the first time there has been black female presenting duo working together on ITV
In good spirits: Rochelle gushed about their co-presenting duties: ‘This is so exciting, look at us, two ladies on the telly,’ to which Alison concurred
Rochelle gushed about their co-presenting duties: ‘This is so exciting, look at us, two ladies on the telly,’ to which Alison concurred.
Besides themselves with joy over the duo, fans took to Twitter in their droves to praise Rochelle and Alison, with some even asking ITV to make them permanent co-hosts after Holly and Phil return.
One wrote: ‘I love Alison and Rochelle presenting together. They are amazing please can this happen every day thank you @RochelleHumes @AlisonHammond xx’
Another added: ‘Ultimate girl power today! Tuned in n got that Friday feeling seeing these two. Roch is also glowing, she looks amazing (sic)’
Delighted: Besides themselves with joy over the duo, fans took to Twitter in their droves to praise Rochelle and Alison
Commenting on all the black presesnters appearing on ITV on Friday, another viewer added: ‘Fair play @ITV today… @SeanFletcherTV, @andipeters, @Alison Hammond and @RochelleHumes all in prime presenter positions can this be kept up when Piers, Susanna and co. get back fromt heir hollybobs?’
While one gushed: ‘So great to see Alison and Rochelle presenting today. It’s made working from home even nicer. Lovely to see two female presenters with awesome personalities! Go ladies.’
Never did I think I’d see 3 poc @andipeters @AlisonHammond @RochelleHumes hosting on itv this morning. You love to see it #blackexcellence
Loving @AlisonHammond & @RochelleHumes on #ThisMorning great duo! They’re a keeper!’
Stunning: Rochelle put on a stylish display in a beige sleeveless dress for the show
Expecting: Rochelle, who is expecting her third child with husband Marvin, cradled her baby bump in a stunning snap she shared via Instagram during the show
This Morning’s new guest presenter lineup comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed that the programme’s editor is seeking to change the line-up to include a permanent black presenter.
In a video conference call with staff last month, the programme’s editor Martin Frizell said: ‘There is not a black presenter on any of the programmes today.
‘We plan to change that, we [This Morning] are looking into it.’ This Morning has never had a main black presenter since it launched 32 years ago.
Excited: One viewer gushed that it was ‘so great to see Alison and Rochelle presenting today. It’s made working from home even nicer’
Hosts with the most: Amid calls for the ITV show to hire permanent non-white stars to present the show, Rochelle has been joined by Ore Oduba (L) and Alison on the presenting rosta
Frizell admitted that finding a black candidate ‘won’t be easy’ and while there is no suggestion that either Holly or Phillip are leaving, there will inevitably be speculation that the move could bring an end to their 11-year partnership on This Morning.
An ITV source said: ‘It’s a tough one for Martin. He appeared to really mean what he said so it will be difficult to simply give the presenter the once-a-week Friday slot because he would leave himself open to claims of tokenism.’
Another show insider said: ‘Kudos to Frizell for being the first ITV boss to pledge to make this happen. What we are all wondering now is, ‘Will anyone go and, if so, who?’ ‘
Comeback: Ore previously stood in for Phil in November 2016 and March 2017 (pictured)
Back again: Rochelle has regularly stood in for Holly in the past, presenting with the likes of Mark Wright and Davina McCall over the years (Rochelle and Davina pictured in August 2019)
Last October, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the channel had failed to feature a single non-white main host on its entire daytime schedule, although some supporting presenters were from ethnic minorities.
In July Good Morning Britain presenter Andi interrupted his segment on the show to make an emotional plea to viewers about Black Lives Matter.
The show stalwart took a break from announcing a competition in his home garage to urge fans to continue discussing the movement and insisted he needed to make the plea as ‘one of the only black people on the show’.
Great news: In a video conference with staff last month, the programme’s editor Martin Frizell said: ‘There is not a black presenter on any of the programmes today. We plan to change that’
He said: ‘I just want to say something as I can, as one of the only black people on this show, it is so important that we all keep talking. It really is. People meet me in the street and ask me how I feel about it.
‘We’ve all started this conversation and one of the best things about Good Morning Britain is that we talk about it – we’re not brushing it under the rug, we’re not tip-toeing around, we are talking about it.
‘Every day on this programme we are talking about it and it’s really important that we do. Every black kid watching right now – you could do this job.
Thoughts: Frizell admitted finding a black candidate ‘won’t be easy’, as a source claimed he was worried about being ‘open to claims of tokenism’ if a black presenter only hosted Fridays
‘Anyway, let me tell you about this prize… Sorry, I felt that I needed to say it. I shouldn’t apologise, I mustn’t apologise – I just wanted to say it.’
Black Lives Matter protests erupted around the world last month after George Floyd was killed in police custody in May.
Ex-police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing 46-year-old Floyd’s neck with his knee in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Time to change: Last October, The Mail on Sunday revealed the channel had failed to feature a single non-white main host on its entire daytime schedule