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Alison Hammond praised for shutting down Cliff Richard’s ‘fat-shaming’ comments

Viewers commended the host for ‘handling’ Richard’s ‘insensitive’ comment ‘so well’

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 24 November 2023 05:44 GMT
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Alison Hammond responds to Cliff Richard ‘fat-shaming’ Elvis on This Morning

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Alison Hammond has been praised for her swift shutdown of Cliff Richard after the singer made fat-shaming comments on This Morning.

Singer Richard, 83, appeared on the ITV breakfast show on Monday (20 November) to discuss his six-decade career in the entertainment industry, including the fact he was inspired by American singer Elvis Presley.

After being asked by temporary co-host Sarah Ferguson whether he’d ever met Presley, the “Summer Holiday” singer raised eyebrows with his response, in which he said he once turned down a photo with the “Jailhouse Rock” star in the late 1970s as “he’d put on a lot of weight”.

Richard explained to hosts Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Sarah Ferguson: “I had once chance through a journalist while I was promoting ‘Devil Woman’ in the States. He said, ‘Oh, I know Elvis.’ He knew that I was influenced [by him]. “

However, after being offered the chance to meet Presley, Richard said he told the journalist: “Can we put it off? Because he’d put on a lot of weight, and I though, ‘If I’m taking a photograph with him, and it’s going to be hanging on my refrigerator, he’s gotta look good’.”

Richard, whose songs include “Congratulations” and “The Millennium Prayer”, added: “I put it off, and then, of course, he died.”

Hammond called Richard out for his remark, telling the singer: “You should never have put it off just because they’re a little bit heavier.”

Richard, seemingly oblivious to the offensive nature of his comments, said: “If you’re a fan of somebody’s, meet them – even if they’ve put on weight.”

An undeterred Hammond continued to casually shut down Richard’s remarks, firing back: “Is that why you don’t want me at your house?”

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Hammond has now been praised for her composed response, which she delivered swiftly before continuing with the interview as normal.

Alison Hammond shut down Cliff Richard’s ‘fat-shaming’ comments on ‘This Morning’
Alison Hammond shut down Cliff Richard’s ‘fat-shaming’ comments on ‘This Morning’ (ITV)

Writer Duncan Lindsay commended Hammond for “handling” it “so well”, with fellow writer Elliot Gonzalez adding: “Gosh, she handled it well, but shouldn’t have had to. Such an insensitive comment to make regardless of who he was talking to”

@betbinch wrote about the exchange: “Alison handled that perfectly,” with @KimEdwards48 stating: “I thought Alison’s response was brilliant.”

The Independent has contacted Richard for comment.

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