Tejal Somvanshi
Why did Alison Hammond leave This Morning mid-show, and what should you do if a panic attack hits? The ITV presenter rushed off the live programme on Friday 2 October 2026 and went to hospital for a heart check. She later said the all-clear meant she had a panic attack. Here is what happened and what NHS and mental health charity guidance says.
Hammond left ITV’s This Morning midway through the live show on Friday 2 October 2026 and appeared to clutch her chest. From a hospital bed she said she had “a little bit of a palpitation” and hoped it “was just a little panic attack.” Co-presenter Dermot O’Leary told viewers she was unwell and would not be returning to the show. The next day she said NHS staff had checked her heart, lungs and bloods: “It’s all clear, which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV.” On Friday 9 October she returned to the show.
A panic attack can feel like a heart problem. A clinician quoted by the BBC says anyone who has these symptoms for the first time should dial 999 and get to A&E. The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if heart palpitations do not go away or come with fainting, shortness of breath or chest pain. If you have had panic attacks before, NHS advice during one is to stay where you are if possible, breathe slowly and deeply, and remind yourself that the attack will pass.
What helps during a panic attack
How do television presenters cope with panic attacks on air? In Hammond’s case, she left the set and O’Leary covered the rest of the show. For anyone facing an attack, NHS advice is to breathe slowly and deeply. Mind suggests counting to five as you breathe in and out, stamping on the spot, and focusing on your senses.
Mind says you should not breathe into plastic bags, as it can be dangerous. If you are alone, NHS 111 can help you manage a panic attack, and you can call 111 to reach the 24/7 mental health support line (England and Wales). NHS inform advises speaking to your GP practice if you are worried about how you are feeling.
Back on the show on 9 October, Hammond said: “I couldn’t catch my breath and I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack.” She called it “probably one of the most scariest things I’ve ever been through.” She said she had been unsure about returning to the show, and felt that if she did not come back this week she might never do so.
Hammond has returned to This Morning after the 2 October panic attack. If you have palpitations that do not go away, or chest pain, call 999. Check back for updates.
