This Morning presenter Alison Hammond was overcome with emotion as she bid a heartfelt farewell to her colleague Martin Frizell live on air.
The beloved show boss, who has been at the helm of the ITV programme for a decade,
made his final studio appearance on Friday (February 28), prompting an outpouring of gratitude and emotion from the team.
Alison and Josie’s Emotional Goodbye
During the closing moments of the show, Martin joined Alison and Josie Gibson on the famous This Morning sofa for a special send-off.
Alison struggled to contain her emotions as she sat beside him, tears streaming down her face as she and Josie expressed their gratitude for the opportunities he had given them.
“You took a chance on us,” they told Martin, who quickly reassured them, saying, “If you were rubbish, you wouldn’t have the job!” The trio then shared a warm group hug before the programme transitioned to Loose Women.
Earlier in the episode, Josie had already voiced her sadness at Martin’s departure, calling it “a very sad day” for the entire This Morning team. She explained that, as part of his farewell, he had been given the honour of choosing the songs for the Friday jukebox segment.
As Shania Twain’s 1997 hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” played, Alison praised Martin’s music selection, jokingly adding, “He’s got quite good taste, our editor.” Josie chimed in with, “He has got good taste. Well, he employs us!” to which Alison enthusiastically agreed, “Very true! Good point, babe, good point.”
Martin Frizell’s Legacy at This Morning
Martin Frizell’s departure marks the end of an era for the long-running morning show. Having first joined the programme as editor in 2014, he has played a key role in shaping its success, overseeing thousands of hours of live television and spearheading numerous impactful campaigns.
His exit was first announced in November 2024, with Martin revealing that he was stepping away to focus on his family, particularly his wife, Fiona Phillips, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2022.
“Next year, I’m expecting my family priorities to change, so I need to free up time for them,” Martin explained in a statement. “I love my team at ITV and will miss them and the thrill of live telly, but it’s an always-on, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment, and I won’t be able to do both.”
Reflecting on his time on the show, he added, “It’s been a privilege to lead truly great presenters and producers. Between us, we’ve turned out more than six thousand hours of live, topical telly—that’s around 20,000 items.”
A Lasting Impact on This Morning
While Martin’s decision to step away is bittersweet for both him and the This Morning family, his legacy remains firmly intact. Under his leadership, the show has tackled important social issues, including campaigns on mental health awareness, testicular cancer, menopause, and suicide prevention.
“Whilst the gongs are always nice, I’m most proud of the change we made to so many lives, even saving a fair few with our campaigns,” he reflected. “This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist.”
Viewers React to the Emotional Farewell
Fans of the show took to social media to share their thoughts on the tearful goodbye. Many expressed their sadness at Martin’s departure and praised his contribution to the programme.
“Alison’s tears say it all. Martin has been such an important part of This Morning for so long. Wishing him and his family the very best,” one viewer wrote.
Another added, “It’s not just the presenters we love, but the people behind the scenes too. Martin will be missed!”
As Martin steps away from the daily pressures of live television, This Morning continues to evolve, but his influence on the show and the people who work on it will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
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