Alison Hammond’s role in For The Love Of Dog’s SLAMMED by former guest who claims the host was ‘scared’ of the animals but hid her feelings because she had ‘a mortgage to pay’

Alison Hammond has been criticized by a former This Morning guest who has questioned her suitability to host ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs.

The TV personality, 49, started presenting the series earlier this year after taking over from 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 ‘scared’ for her brood of four-legged friends.

She told The Sun that 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 afraid of dogs when she came to interview me so we had to do it outside.’

Alison Hammond, 49, has been criticized by a former This Morning guest who has questioned her suitability for hosting ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs

Claire-Louise Nixon, director of the 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 from the late Paul O’Grady following his death in 2023 (Paul pictured on the show in 2016)

“I did ask her, ‘Why did you do this interview if you’re 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, interviewed Claire-Louise in Milton Keynes for the This Morning film The Incredible Woman Who Rescued 27 Dogs.

Her fear of dogs stems from seeing a young boy brutally attacked, as she describes in her 2021 autobiography, You’ve Got To Laugh.

She says in the book: ‘The dog took a huge chunk out of his leg and blood flowed everywhere. I had to help him stagger back to his mother, screaming in pain.

‘For weeks the children in our street kept talking about wild dogs and gushing wounds.’

Fortunately for Alison, the general public does not agree that Alison is not a good choice to present For The Love Of Dogs.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘I absolutely love @AlisonHammond hosting this show, her bond with the dogs is just amazing. Paul would be very proud of you #ForTheLoveOfDogs.”

Another person posted: ‘#ForTheLoveOfDogs, @AlisonHammond may have been planned by people but seriously….

“I honestly think Paul O’Grady would be more than happy for Alison to take on the role, and especially for the show to go on and help more woofs find forever loving homes. Thank you Alison.’

Claire Louise said that when she asked why Alison went ahead with the interview, the TV star confided: ‘I have to pay my mortgage’

Alison, who has never owned a dog, interviewed Claire-Louise in Milton Keynes for the This Morning film The Incredible Woman Who Rescued 27 Dogs

Alison’s fear of dogs stems from seeing a young boy brutally attacked, as she describes in her 2021 autobiography, You’ve Got To Laugh.