This Morning viewers delivered their verdict on Olivia Attwood earlier today, after she made her presenting debut on the show.
Now, after leaving them divided, a body language expert has spoken out about Olivia’s This Morning debut, claiming the star was “very, very nervous” about taking over on the ITV daytime show.
Olivia Attwood makes her This Morning debut
Today’s edition of This Morning (July 25) saw Olivia, 34, make her debut hosting the show. The Loose Women star, who found fame on Love Island back in 2017, co-presented the programme alongside show stalwart Dermot O’Leary. The star’s involvement in the show was announced last month.
“Welcome to your Friday This Morning, and look who’s joined us today, it’s only the lovely Olivia Attwood, everyone!” Dermot said at the top of the show, drawing applause from the crew.
“Thanks, guys!” she exclaimed. “Welcome to the famalam!” Dermot said as he joined in with the applause. “This is not a drill, this is happening!” she then said. “It’s happening!” Dermot said.
“And I want you to know, I did go for a smaller heel,” she then noted, as she was seen towering over Dermot. “Could have worn a flat, that’s all I’m saying. Early feedback,” Dermot, who stands at 5ft 7ing, told his co-star, who stands at 5ft 9in.
@thismorningWelcome to the This Morning family, Olivia Attwood!♬ original sound – This Morning
Viewers divided by Olivia Attwood’s This Morning debut
However, despite her excitement, some viewers weren’t as enthused to see Olivia host the show today.
“Oh, not Olivia Atwood ffs!” one viewer moaned. “Why the [bleep] is she presenting this?! What about Josie [Gibson] or Sian [Welby]?” another wrote. “Olivia Attwood? Now we are clutching at straws. Bring back Alison [Hammond],” a third grumbled.
“Olivia and Ashley [James] when I tuned in. So I’ve turned off,” another tweeted. “Urgh this fake Olivia Attwd is insufferable. Didn’t think I would ever say I actually prefer Hammond,” a fifth said.
Support for Olivia
However, there were viewers who were equally as happy to see the star.
“Loving Olivia so far. Seems bright and involved, something Alison definitely isn’t,” one viewer tweeted. “Don’t shoot me down but I actually like Olivia presenting. To be honest, anyone but Hammond works for me but Olivia seems more switched on than any of the other females they’ve had presenting it,” another said.
“I like Olivia, there are way more insufferable people than her, and at least her documentaries aren’t just a reality show all about me me me,” a third wrote. “Olivia works better with Dermot than Alison does. Sorry not sorry,” another said.
Body language analysed
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, body language expert Darren Stanton revealed Olivia’s nerves as she presented it for the first time today.
He said: “There isn’t a great deal of connection between her and Dermot at this early stage, there’s very little rapport between them. Dermot is obviously a real professional but there are lots of defensive gestures from Olivia showing her nervousness.
“Even though verbally she’s coming across confidence, her body language says something different. There is quite a bit of space between them on the sofa, and she keeps locking her hands and arms in. It’s completely natural to be nervous on the first show, but I don’t think there is a great connection between them yet.”
He did add, though, that their rapport would build if they continue to work together. “Obviously if she carries on they will build that. But it’s like meeting someone for the first time. She’s not matching and mirroring Dermot at all. She’s slouched back on the sofa. She’s crossing her arms, and crossing and uncrossing her legs.
“The chemistry between them is in its infancy. I don’t think there are any issues between them, she’s just finding her feet. I think she’s very nervous, which is leaking out in her body language. And I’m sure Dermot will do his best to put her at ease.”
‘There’s no issue between Dermot and Olivia’
Darren did add, though, that Olivia appeared less nervous as the morning went on.
“Later in the show, Olivia seemed more settled and appeared to be relaxing a little bit. She didn’t interlock her arms as often, which means that she has become a little more comfortable in her new role.”
As for her and Dermot, he concluded: “It will take longer than one show to build up that co-presenter relationship. There were glimmers of rapport as the programme went on, so there’s no issue between the two of them. It’s just like when you meet somebody new for the first time, it takes time for rapport, trust and connection to build but all the signs are there that she will fit in.”
Read more: Olivia Attwood in tears as she shares more details of break-in at £1m home: ‘They got some stuff’
This Morning airs on weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
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