Alison Hammond has apologised for ‘making light’ of audiences singing along to stage shows on This Morning, following reports of a ‘mini riot’ at a theatre in Manchester.
The presenter and her colleagues Dermot O’Leary and Vanessa Feltz had been debating over whether or not audience members should sing along at jukebox musicals while professional actors were performing onstage.
Alison even said she was ‘devastated’ to hear singing was not encouraged in a conversation that was branded ‘incredibly stupid’ by theatre professionals after they all decided the request during a production of The Bodyguard currently playing in Manchester was over-the-top.
Since then, police were called to Manchester’s Palace Theatre on Friday for that very same production after reports of two women disrupting the show and being dragged out of the audience.
The performance was subsequently cancelled, with pundits missing out on the final 10 minutes.
On Sunday, Alison took to Twitter with a statement that read: ‘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 utmost respect for.
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‘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.’
She added: ‘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.
‘On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family.’
The 48-year-old concluded: ‘I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester, which has made me sick to my stomach.
‘Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future.’
The TV presenter signed off her message with a black heart emoji and kiss.
Police were called to the stage adaptation of the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston to quell a ‘mini riot’ which reportedly broke out on Friday night between audience members.
Some called the scenes ‘appalling’ and ‘disrespectful’, while another said the evening was a ‘horrific experience’ as the performance stopped mid-song because of the disruption.
In a video obtained by the Manchester Evening News, two women in the upper circle of the theatre are filmed being dragged out of the performance.
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In other photos of the evening circulating on social media, two police cars and a van can be seen parked outside the Palace Theatre.
One attendee wrote about the evening: ‘I’m new to the world of theatre. But sad and disappointed tonight at the state of some peoples arrogance and disrespect while at a show.
‘Completely ruined #TheBodyguard, singing over the actors, to the point of them cancelling the show & police being called’.
Former Hollyoaks actor Ayden Callaghan, who plays bodyguard Frank Farmer in the musical, also took to Twitter to call the behaviour ‘disgusting’.
‘Two people removed by security staff were spoken to by police and a decision about any further action will be made once the evidence has been reviewed.’
Contrary to some previous reports, riot police were not called out.
This comes after the This Morning hosts received huge backlash for what some people called irresponsible comments about the rule, which is there to ensure the show goes smoothly and the actors are respected.
New Great British Bake Off host Alison, reading off a script, said that staff were taking the new rules ‘very, very seriously’ and are ‘regularly walking up and down the aisles’, as Vanessa and Dermot tried to muffle their laughter.
‘I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated,’ Alison said of the rules, ‘I’m not even going to go to that show now.’
Vanessa added: ‘Isn’t the whole point of going to a musical that you know that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don’t know the words you just make them up.
‘Isn’t that what everybody does? And very, very loudly while eating an ice cream.’
Alice Fearn, who stars in musical Wicked, was outraged at their comments which she dubbed ‘so incredibly stupid.’
She continued: ‘Who the hell do they think you are?! I am incredibly disappointed with all of the presenters here.
‘To actually think you have the RIGHT to sing along to a professional production is mind-blowing to me. If you want that… go to karaoke. I’m totally furious.’
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