Alison Hammond’s Big Brother friend Kate Lawler accepted an award on behalf of the star at the Attitude Awards, and read out a moving letter on her behalf
ITV star Alison Hammond has admitted being in a “vulnerable place” as she opened up about her fears she was “having a heart attack” live on air.
Big Brother star Kate Lawler read out a speech penned by Alison at last night’s Attitude Awards in which she spoke of the “incredibly difficult” incident on This Morning. Alison ended up in hospital after cutting short a live segment clutching her chest last Friday.
Kate said: “I’ve spoken to Alison since and it was one of the scariest things she has gone through. She didn’t think she was having a panic attack, she thought she was having a f****** heart attack.”
Alison won The Honorary Gay Award at London’s Roundhouse in front of more than 700 guests including Donatella Versace, Pet Shop Boys, Ian McKellen, David Furnish and Alesha Dixon.
Alison added: “I’ve always tried to bring joy, laughter and positivity to people. So suddenly being a person struggling, rather than making everyone else laugh, is a very vulnerable place to be. I’m learning that vulnerability is a weakness, and that’s something this community has taught me throughout with love.”
Alison also apologized for not being at the glittering event. She said: “Some of you may have seen I’ve recently had a very public episode live on television. And let’s be honest, if you’re going to have a breakdown you might as well have it on ITV with loads of people watching.”
The ITV star also referenced Katie Hopkins, who told the presenter to “get a grip” and cruelly called her a “chumbawomba” several times, referring to her weight.
Alison said in her prepared speech: “But seriously having that moment happen so publicly was incredibly difficult, despite what Katie Hopkins might think.”
Alison also praised her co-star Dermot O’Leary who was on air with her last week when she rushed off set. She said: “Dermot O’Leary handled it beautifully …..I think Dermot deserves his own gay award because he is the gayest straight man on the planet He is basically an honorary gay man already.”
At the time, Dermot explained her absence by saying that she was feeling “unwell” and would not be returning to the programme that day.
Alison later took to social media from hospital to reassure viewers that she was ok, after sparking concern. “I know you’re all worried about me,” she said. “Honestly, I am fine. First of all, I’m getting my old ticker checked out.” She continued: “I had a little bit of a palpitation, and now I’m getting it all checked out. But I think I’m OK. I’m hoping it was just a little panic attack or something like that.”
She went on to thank viewers for their messages, apologising for leaving the show, as she said: “I would never normally do that. I would never leave a TV show, so you know I wasn’t very well.
“But hopefully I’m going to be all right. The doctors are so lovely, and they’re checking me out, and hopefully everything’s going to be fine.” In an update shared later, Alison said she “had a massive panic attack on live TV,” but thankfully she got the all-clear on her heart after tests. “It felt very real to me. I’m really new to panic attacks, so I need to learn more about it,” she added.
The ceremony was hosted by Drag Winner Danny Beard, the first drag artist to host the awards in its 15-year history.
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