This Morning's Alison Hammond sparks complaints with 'naughty' children comment

Alison Hammond has triggered complaints with a comment about “naughty” children watching This Morning at home during the school day.

The TV star made the remark during the episode of the ITV show that aired on 12 January. Ofcom has now confirmed that it received 86 complaints about the episode from viewers.

And a spokesperson for the broadcasting watchdog told Yahoo that most were about what the presenter said. “The majority of complaints related to comments made by Alison Hammond about children who are not in school at the time of broadcast as ‘naughty’," they said.

It isn't the first time that Hammond has sparked complaints to the watchdog. In April last year dozens of people complained to Ofcom about a discussion she and her co-host Dermot O'Leary had about the theatre. The pair were talking about banning audience members from singing along to live shows.

And Hammond said: "I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated. I’m not even going to go to that show now.”

However, she later apologised on social media, writing: “After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday's show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the upmost respect for. I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday's show, and for that I'm truly sorry."

"I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance, I was wrong in what I said and I've given this a lot of thought over the past few days and believe I was wrong," the host went on.

"Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future,” she added.

O’Leary also addressed the complaints, asking people “passing judgement” to watch the whole interview. “I was actually arguing AGAINST people singing too loudly in theatres,” he explained.

Yahoo has contacted a representative for Hammond for comment.

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