The BBC is facing criticism after announcing a new upcoming show starring Alison Hammond as its presenter.
With the This Morning star fronting plenty of different shows at the moment, some have fumed they’d be “turning off” from the BBC for not promoting new talent in a string of divided responses.
The broadcaster announced on Monday that Hammond, 49, would be on screens in a new show seeing the presenter spending 48 hours with a celebrity.
Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend will be coming to BBC One and iPlayer in 2025, and a synopsis for the series reads: “In this six-part series coming next year, each episode will see Alison spend 48 hours with a celebrity where she will really get to know them.
“The show will be serving up big laughs, big revelations and a whole load of celebrity realness.
“Set to be filmed across the UK, Alison will be asking all the big questions in her unique and hilarious way which has made the This Morning and Great British Bake Off star one of the country’s most loved personalities.”
Hammond commented: “I’m so excited to serve up some big lols and tons of OMG revelations on the BBC as I spend some quality time with some of the UK’s favourite celebrities.” (sic)
She continued: “When I’m on a mission no secret is safe, and trust me no stone or cupboard will go unturned!”
It didn’t take long for viewers to question the casting though, with one taking to X, formerly Twitter, to write: “We need more Alison Hammond on our TV, said nobody other than tv executives, ever.”
“Got nothing against the woman and I don’t mind her but there does come a point when someone is on TV too much (Bradley Walsh). Does it not dawn on you why people are turning you off in their droves? It’s because you make unimaginative, cheap tripe like this,” another fumed.
A third remarked: “So sad that the same presenters get every job going. Do they actually interview for these jobs?”
“Fair play to Alison and her agent, but shouldn’t the BBC be nurturing new talent?” someone else quizzed.
“You'd think there were no other presenters in the UK with the same group getting recycled from show to show, surely there's new talent out there?” A fifth asked.
Another X user penned: “How on earth does she have time for all these shows she's now doing?” while someone else simply wrote: “Defund the BBC.”
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However, not everyone felt the same about Hammond’s new gig, with one adding: “This will be amazing!!”.
Another commented: “Love this! Congratulations Bab, @AlisonHammond. She's so lovely, bubbly, talented, likeable, a people person and always makes her interviews so fun, puts people at ease and she's funny.”
The BBC revealed celebrity guests on the show would be announced "in due course".
It's not the first time Hammond's casting has sparked a backlash, with herreplacement of Paul O'Grady in Love of Dogs seeing a similar response from fans of the show.
