'This Morning' host Alison Hammond mortified after dead dog blunder

Watch: AWKWARD! Alison Hammond brings up Graham Norton's dead dog on This Morning

Alison Hammond amused viewers as she put her foot in it during a chat with celebrity guest Graham Norton during her This Morning hosting debut.

The presenter and Dermot O’Leary have taken over hosting duties from Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on the ITV programme.

But Hammond got off to a bit of a wobbly start when she asked Norton about his beloved dog – only to be told it had died.

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"I miss you, I love you,” she said. “The last time I saw you, you were with your dog, out and about. I’ve just been told I’m going to get a four-legged friend. Have you still got your dog?"

"No, dead,” the chat show host replied.

Looking mortified about her gaffe, Hammond rushed to apologise.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I’m so sorry, I'm absolutely devastated!” she said. “It’s like, the worst thing to say.”

Viewers were thoroughly amused by the moment, with many posting about it on social media.

“Alison Hammond's first official Friday on This Morning and she's asking Graham Norton how his dead dog is, hahahhaha I love her so much,” one viewer posted on Twitter.

“I spat out my tea!” said another.

One said the incident was “cringeworthy but unexpectedly hilarious”.

Hammond and O'Leary have taken over from Langsford and Holmes on Fridays and the husband and wife team will now only host the programme during key holidays.

As the new duo made their debut, many people said they were missing the old hosts.

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“Please bring Eamonn and Ruth back. Not enjoying this and always look forward to my time off on Friday mornings usually,” said one person, while another pleaded: “Bring back Eamonn & Ruth. I miss their petty bickering on a Friday.”

However, others said Hammond and O'Leary were “a breath of fresh air”.

“Brilliant show, so glad you have Alison and Dermot,” said one.

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