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’
(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.
