Alison Hammond has come under fire from a former This Morning guest who questioned her suitability to present ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs.
The TV personality, 49, began hosting the series earlier this year after replacing the late Paul O’Grady following his death in 2023.
But Claire-Louise Nixon, director of the charity Wheels To Paws, recalled being interviewed by Alison in 2019 and claimed the broadcaster was “afraid” of her brood of four-legged friends.
Narration Sun So when she asked why Alison was going ahead with the interview, the TV star replied: “I have to pay my mortgage.”
Claire-Louise told the publication: “Alison was scared of dogs when she came to interview me, so we had to do it outside.”
Alison Hammond, 49, has come under fire from a former This Morning guest who questioned her suitability to present ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs.
Claire-Louise Nixon, director of charity Wheels To Paws, recalled being interviewed by Alison in 2019 and claimed the broadcaster was “scared” of her brood of four-legged friends (pictured during the 2019 interview ).
Alison began presenting the series earlier this year after taking over for the late Paul O’Grady following his death in 2023 (Paul appears on the show in 2016).
‘I asked him: “Why did you do this interview if you are afraid of dogs?” She replied, “I have to pay my mortgage.”
MailOnline has contacted Alison’s representatives for comment.
Alison, who has never owned a dog, was interviewing Claire-Louise in Milton Keynes for This Morning’s article The Incredible Woman Who Rescued 27 Dogs.
His fear of dogs stems from watching a child being brutally attacked, as he describes in his 2021 autobiography, You Have to Laugh.
She says in the book: ‘The dog took a huge chunk out of his leg and blood spilled everywhere. I had to help him limp back to his mother, screaming in pain.
“For weeks afterward, the children on our street wouldn’t stop talking about wild dogs and bleeding wounds.”
Fortunately for Alison, the general public does not agree that Alison is not a good choice to host For The Love Of Dogs.
One person wrote on Twitter: “I absolutely love @AlisonHammond hosting this show – her bond with dogs is just amazing.” Paul would be so proud of you #ForTheLoveOfDogs.’
Another person posted: ‘#ForTheLoveOfDogs, @AlisonHammond may have been criticized by people but seriously…
‘Honestly, I think Paul O’Grady would be more than happy for Alison to take on the role, and even more happy for the show to continue and help more wows find loving forever homes. Thank you Alison.’
Claire Louise said that when she asked why Alison was going ahead with the interview, the TV star replied: “I have to pay my mortgage.”
Alison, who has never owned a dog, was interviewing Claire-Louise in Milton Keynes for This Morning’s article The Incredible Woman Who Rescued 27 Dogs.
Alison’s fear of dogs arises from seeing a child being brutally attacked, as she describes in her 2021 autobiography, You Have to Laugh.