Alison Hammond: Vanessa Feltz thanks This Morning presenter for support after split from boyfriend Ben

Vanessa Feltz has thanked her fellow This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby, adding that the pair are “always” there for her.

The presenter, 61, from Islington, announced at the start of 2023 that she had separated from her partner Ben Ofoedu, 50, who she had been engaged to since 2006.

Vanessa shared how her heart had “snapped into a million pieces” and that she had been left unable to sleep as she updated her fans.

Despite being left heartbroken, the former Radio 2 presenter shared that she has a support system around her in the form of “real” friends Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond.

Vanessa revealed to OK! Magazine that she has known Alison, 48, for 21 years and Holly, 42, for the last 10 years, adding that it was a “long time”.

She shared that the trio were “proper friends in real life” adding that their relationship went beyond their tv careers and was a “real thing”.

Vanessa added that both of the fellow This Morning presenters were “100 per cent” there for her with their relationship going through “various different circumstances”.

“Without question, they’re among the first women I hear from. They’re great women and they’re great friends,” Vanessa said.

In the interview, Vanessa also opened up about how the pair were exactly as they appear on the television and claimed that they are “tremendous for a girls’ night out.”

It comes just days after Vanessa and Alison came under fire for comments made on Wednesday (6 April) episode of This Morning where they discussed theatre etiquette.

The pair had been discussing whether or not audience members should sing along at musicals after The Bodyguard in Manchester had enforced rules that audience members should avoid singing along.

The debate was sparked after a brawl broke out at The Bodyguard at The Palace Theatre, with the show being cancelled mid-way through the performance on Friday (7 April).

Alison shared her thoughts on theatre etiquette telling co-presenters Dermot O’Leary and Vanessa: “I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated. I’m not even going to go to that show now.”

Vanessa Feltz responded: “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.”

The debate received intense backlash and was branded as “incredibly stupid” by people on social media, including many performers and theatre staff coming forward to share how the behaviour of audiences impacts performers and staff.

On Sunday evening, Alison was forced to apologise for her comments after This Morning received 66 Ofcom complaints.

Alison took to Twitter to say: “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.

“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 also 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.”