Alison Hammond was asked to present the “Big Brother” revival but turned it down.
The 49-year-old TV star shot to fame when she took part in the reality series during its heyday on Channel 4 in 2002 before going on to a career in presenting but turned down the chance to host the show when it was revived by ITV1 in late 2023.
“They asked to see me and I went in there and said to them: ‘Listen, I’ll be honest, I’ve never ever wanted to host ‘Big Brother’, I’m just grateful everything it’s given me,” she told The Sun newspaper’s TV Mag.
In the end, AJ Odudu and Will Best became presenters of the new series – which was eventually won by lawyer Jordan Sangha, 26, with dancer Olivia Young, 23, as runner-up – and the celebrity spin-off.
But Alison – who has been a regular face on ITV’s “This Morning” since competing alongside the likes of Kate Lawler and Jade Goody in the house – is now going to take the reins on “For the Love of Dogs” following the death of Paul O’Grady, and was “surprised” at the backlash she received because she doesn’t actually have a dog herself.
“I was surprised with how much criticism I got. I could understand that Paul was so loved, but trolls will be trolls, and I’ll still do what I do best, which is TV presenting. My life is not conducive to having a dog right now, but ! can foster whenever I’ve got a week here or there,” she said.
The ‘Bake Off’ presenter noted at the time the news was announced that she can never really “replace” TV legend Paul – who died in March 2023 at the age of 67 – but is keen to “shine a light” on the work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
“I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series.
“But if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all.
“I can’t wait to share the joy of their searches for new loving forever homes and hopefully make lots of furry friends of my own along the way,” she said in a statement.
