This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has opened up about her long-running feud with Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder, revealing their tense relationship dates back 15 years to their time together on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The Jungle Clash That Started It All
The 50-year-old television personality appeared on the ITV reality show as a late arrival in 2010, and from the moment she entered the camp, she found herself at odds with the Manchester musician. Speaking on the spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Unpacked following last night's launch show, Hammond reignited the long-standing conflict.
'When I went in there, I'll never forget, I walked in and said the party's here with my Terry's Chocolate Orange and everyone was like [unbothered face],' she recalled. 'Then, Shaun Ryder hated my guts straight away. He was very rude!'
The This Morning star added pointedly: 'So hopefully there are no Shaun Ryder's in there.'
Ryder's Controversial Bush Telegraph Comments
Shaun Ryder's initial reaction to Hammond's arrival was captured in the Bush Telegraph, where he didn't hold back his feelings about another celebrity joining the camp. 'Oh more f**king people in the camp. And a loud person and a cheery person as well,' he ranted, clearly referencing her outgoing personality.
Despite his harsh words, Ryder attempted to soften his comments by adding: 'She's probably a really nice person, don't get me wrong. I like Alison.' However, he continued with a bizarre analogy: 'I like horse s**t in the country but I don't want it in my living room. I just don't want to go through it. I've done f**k all for eight days except socialise. I'm about that far from f**king off.'
Interestingly, despite his threats to leave, Ryder ended up staying in the camp and even made it to the final, finishing as runner-up to that year's Queen of the Jungle, Stacey Solomon.
The Feud Continues Years Later
The tension between the two celebrities didn't end when they left the jungle. Reports emerged several years ago that they clashed again when they crossed paths backstage at Dancing On Ice. According to sources, Hammond allegedly told Ryder directly: 'I never liked you. From the first minute I met you and spoke to you, I never liked you.'
Speaking to the Daily Star at the time, Ryder responded: 'Ever since the jungle show, I knew Alison didn't like me. But fair enough, nobody has to like each other. It's not against the law.'
He added: 'When we were in the jungle I knew from day one that she didn't like me. On [that night] I was proved right.'
Defending Ryder's Character
During the Unpacked show discussion, comedian Leigh Francis came to his friend Shaun Ryder's defence, insisting 'he's normally really lovely'. However, footage showed Alison Hammond looking far from convinced by this character assessment.
The revelation of this 15-year feud comes as the new series of I'm A Celebrity launches, with Hammond clearly hoping this year's camp will be free of any similarly 'rude' personalities. The popular ITV show continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.
