This Morning viewers expressed outrage and disappointment as hosts Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond paused the live broadcast to perform a spontaneous dance routine, leading many to label the segment as 'dreadful and insulting'. The incident occurred on Friday, February 27, during the show's regular slot, sparking a wave of criticism on social media platforms.
Live Broadcast Interrupted by Dance Performance
Following an advertisement break, the show returned with Shirley Bassey's 1967 hit 'Hey Big Spender!' playing in the studio. Instead of proceeding with scheduled segments, Alison Hammond, 51, and Dermot O'Leary, 52, began singing the lyrics to each other and engaging in a lively dance. For approximately two minutes, the duo danced, lip-synched, and sang over their announcements, with Alison joking about Dermot encouraging her to continue, stating, 'If you can't beat them, join them.'
The performance escalated when Dermot lifted Alison into the air, spinning her around as the song concluded. The studio crew responded with applause and cheers, but viewers at home were far less amused.
Viewer Backlash on Social Media
Fans quickly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their displeasure. One viewer wrote, 'WTF are these pair doing?? Shameful,' while another commented, 'Just switched off #ThisMorning. That's enough of that!' Additional reactions included descriptions such as 'Children’s TV at its worst' and 'Dreadful and verging on insulting. I’m off.' Some users even shared images of themselves turning off their televisions in protest.
However, not all feedback was negative. A minority of viewers found the moment entertaining, with one supporter writing, 'Yes Dermot & Alison! Big Spenders! Love it!' and another expressing concern for Dermot's well-being, joking, 'hope Dermot hasn't done his back in!'
Recent Controversies on This Morning
This incident follows other controversial moments on the show. Earlier, Alison Hammond left co-host Ben Shephard speechless after making a risqué joke about bubble tea, which aired live and caused awkward laughter. In another segment, Ben Shephard dashed to a pub during the broadcast to fetch a pint for co-star Angela Scanlon, prompting mixed reactions from fans who questioned the professionalism of drinking alcohol at 10:50 AM.
These events have sparked debates about the show's content and its appeal to audiences, with some praising the lighthearted approach and others criticising it as unprofessional.
Impact on Viewer Engagement
The dance routine and subsequent backlash highlight the challenges live television faces in balancing entertainment with viewer expectations. As This Morning continues to air weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX, such incidents may influence audience retention and social media discourse, underscoring the fine line between engaging content and perceived excess.
