Alison Hammond purportedly placed her £700,000 home on the market on the same day that Phillip Schofield announced his departure from This Morning, according to sources.
Following reports of a ‘fallout’ with Holly Willoughby, the 61-year-old TV anchor announced he was resigning after more than two decades of hosting the ITV daytime programme.
It was reported that the two were “barely speaking” behind the scenes and that their relationship had “cooled,” with Phil resigning after “a very difficult few days.”
Holly would continue to co-host the programme with other members of the This Morning crew, but she took an early half-term leave, leaving Alison, Craig Doyle, and Dermot O’Leary to take over.
The new presenter of The Great British Bake Off is ‘likely’ to spend more time in London filming This Morning, although it is not yet known who will assume the permanent role.
A source revealed: ‘The timings are entirely coincidental but are, perhaps, telling.
‘Alison loves that house but wants a fresh start.
‘She’s incredibly in demand.’
The insider added to The Sun: ‘It’s looking highly likely she will be asked to do more days a week on This Morning — and therefore she will be spending more time in London.’
The article states that Alison’s four-bedroom, three-bathroom Solihull home is on the market for £700,000, adding that the West Midlands residence has a hot pool in the backyard.
Alison was rumoured to be moderating alongside Holly after Phil took a hiatus during his brother Timothy’s trial.
The temporary This Morning partnership was reportedly such a success with viewers that executives are seeking to pair them more frequently.
One source spilled: ‘It was a super-clever idea to slot Alison in with Holly, and it worked so well.
‘It was a new dynamic for Holly who has starred with Phil almost every time she has appeared on This Morning for nearly 14 years.
‘The bosses are absolutely delighted with their decision to put them together and want to find ways to do it more often.’
They added to the Mail On Sunday at the time that while ‘nobody’s supposed to discuss Phil’s future’ on the programme, it has been hot topic ever since Holly and Alison hosted together.
The 48-year-old co-hosted Monday’s episode of This Morning with the 50-year-old Dermot, where they discussed Phil’s departure.
At the start of Monday’s episode, Alison said: ‘Now, we can’t start today’s show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa, Phillip Schofield.’
Dermot continued: ‘So, as a show, everyone on and off screen at ITV, and This Morning, want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make this show such a success over the last 21 years.’
Alison hailed him as ‘one of the best’, adding: ‘Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had. And we and all the team wish him all the best for the future.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.