Alison Hammond leads emotional tributes as This Morning legend quits the show

THIS Morning star Alison Hammond today led tributes to a legend of the show who has quit.

The 47-year-old host said she was “devastated” in an emotional speech alongside her Friday co-host Dermot O’Leary.

She said: “Alan who does all the sound effects and the music and everything is actually leaving. I’m absolutely devastated.”

Dermot, 48, replied: “Oh he’s a genius. Where’s he going?”

Looking sadly at the camera Alison added: “Let’s have some sound – because this is what he does.”

As the tear-jerking Our Tune music played, she told viewers: “He’s leaving today. He’s been an amazing member of staff here at This Morning.

“We just want to say: we love you, we’ll miss you and you have been the best. Thank you, anyway.”

Dermot added: “If you do change your mind Alan, do come back here. I don’t think wherever you’re going to go will give you the artistic license to just press any buttons you want.”

The onscreen announcement came days after Holly Willoughby revealed This Morning’s longstanding floor manager had left.

Earlier this year Tim Carr stepped back from Good Morning Britain, getting a send-off from Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway.

He is moving to talkTV, the much-anticipated news, sports and entertainment channel from The Sun owner News UK.

Piers Morgan, one of the broadcaster’s new primetime stars, welcomed him in a tweet last month calling him “the best floor manager in the business”.

He replied: “Thanks Piers. It’s gonna be a blast! 👏👏👏 “