Dermot O'Leary has firmly rejected suggestions of tension between himself and This Morning co-presenter Alison Hammond, branding such reports as "bulls*** ."
The presenter explained how tabloid narratives are often constructed from nothing more than innocent moments during broadcasts.
Speaking to Radio Times, Mr O'Leary stated: "We'll finish an item, I'll look one way and Alison will look the other, and the papers will be like, 'Bust-up on This Morning! It's all bulls***."
The 52-year-old revealed he deliberately avoids reading day-to-day coverage about the programme, suggesting the stories bear little resemblance to reality.
Dermot O'Leary opened up on the rumours about him and Alison not getting on
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His comments come after the ITV daytime show underwent significant changes in recent years following a turbulent period that saw it face intense media scrutiny.
Mr O'Leary acknowledged that the programme endured a particularly difficult stretch, with This Morning appearing on newspaper front pages for 50 days running.
The presenter stressed that this intense media attention occurred through no fault of the on-screen team, describing the experience as genuinely challenging.
"It was hard, because we were doing a show that, through no fault of our own, was on the cover of newspapers for 50 days on the trot," he told the publication.
His comments come after the ITV daytime show underwent significant changes in recent years
| ITVThe turbulent era saw major changes behind the scenes at the long-running daytime show, which has since stabilised under its current presenting lineup.
Ms Hammond, meanwhile, defended the pair's approach to presenting the show, arguing that self-censorship would undermine what makes live television compelling.
"You've got to be free to say what you want, and give your opinions," she told Radio Times. "If you start editing yourself, you'll lose the live element that people love."
The presenting partnership is built on a friendship stretching back more than two decades, with Ms Hammond revealing that Mr O'Leary was the very first person she encountered after leaving the Big Brother house.
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Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond have worked together on This Morning since 2021
| ITVShe recalled that during that initial meeting, Mr O'Leary offered career guidance that proved prescient, suggesting she pursue children's television presenting.
"He saw something in me. He's a genius," Ms Hammond said of her co-host's early advice.
For his part, O'Leary spoke warmly about their professional relationship, describing Hammond as "a really good friend who I trust."
The presenter added that he genuinely looks forward to their Friday broadcasts together, saying he wakes up with a smile knowing he will be working alongside her and the wider production team.
Reports often suggest Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary aren't getting on
| ITVMs Hammond was blasted by some This Morning viewers recently when she suggested that the backlash faced by Meghan Markle is rooted in "racism" and "misogyny."
The debate unfolded on This Morning following fresh comments from the Duchess of Sussex, who claimed in April she had been "bullied and attacked" online for a decade and described herself as "the most trolled person in the world."
During the segment, Ms Hammond introduced a clip of the duchess speaking candidly about her experience of online abuse, in which she warned that social media platforms are "anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks."
The conversation took a more pointed turn when co-presenter Dermot O'Leary asked the panel why they believed the duchess attracts such intense backlash.
Ms Hammond appeared to agree with Ms Gordon’s assessment, nodding as she said: “Racism.”
She continued: “Do you know what? You’ve got to call it out when it’s there. Don’t be silly. It’s racism. It’s misogyny. It’s everything, all of the above.