Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary debut on This Morning with mortifying dead dog gaffe

This Morning ‘s brand new hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary won high praise as they hosted their first show together on Friday.

The duo replaced married couple Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, who used to present the show on Fridays.

After much debate over Ruth and Eamonn being replaced, with them said to have been “blindsided”, Alison and Dermot won rave reviews.

They spoke to a psychic at the start of the show who made predictions for their lives, including the prediction that Alison would get a dog.

“Hello and welcome to your Friday This Morning!” said an excited Alison, who went on to chat about her recent Instagram live karaoke session.

“It was a show, everyone loved it,” she gushed.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary debuted on This Morning on Friday (Image: ITV)

“Everyone is begging for more! I did all the singing.”

They also interviewed Graham Norton – but the chat took an awkward turn very early on.

Alison gushed over Graham’s dog that she had seen in the past, before asking if the dog was okay.

Some die-hard Ruth and Eamonn fans were unimpressed, but other viewers were delighted (Image: ITV)

“The last time I saw you you were walking your beautiful dog. Have you still got her?” she asked.

“No – dead,” replied a deadpan Graham as Dermot dropped his head into his hands and said he wished he had stopped her.

“Oh I am so sorry,” said an embarrassed Alison.

Graham Norton had to tell Alison Hammond his dog was dead

“I don’t know what to say.”

Graham laughed: “I am just being horrible to you, it’s fine!”

Dermot later teased Alison for the blunder, after she also got Ray Ripley’s children’s genders wrong, leaving the actress to correct her.

Dermot told Alison: “And Graham Norton’s dog is dead!” as Alison giggled.

One viewer gushed: “Yes!! At last a combo I can get on board with! Loving @radioleary & Alison on #ThisMorning – not a fan of Philip & Holly they are complacent & judgemental. Up the Irish!!”

Dermot O’Leary looked mortified

“How refreshing to see Alison & Dermot presenting This Morning Way better than the Eamonn & Ruth #ThisMorning#itv,” remarked another.

“This is pure lols for Alison on her first Friday show. Just what I’d expect,” added a third.

A fourth giggled: “Alison Hammond: “The last time I saw you you were walking your beautiful dog. Have you still got her?” Graham Norton: “No. Dead!” I spat out my tea! #ThisMorning “.

* This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am