This Morning’s Alison Hammond drops clanger about Graham Norton’s late dog

Virgin Radio

8 Jan 2021, 15:24

This is awkward with a capital A for Alison… TV host Hammond was left lost for words after asking Graham Norton how his beloved dog was during an interview on This Morning on her first day since bagging the role. 

New Virgin Radio host Graham was the first celebrity to be interviewed by the former Big Brother star alongside her co-host Dermot O'Leary after jumping into the seats of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.

The toe-curling mistake left viewers hiding behind their hands as she asked the TV and radio favourite how his labradoodle Bailey was. 

She said to Graham: "I miss you, I love you Graham. The last time I saw you, you were with that lovely dog of yours. Have you still got your dog?"

To which he replied: "No, he's dead."

Alison sank back and replied: "Oh no, I'm gutted, I'm so sorry, I'm absolutely devastated."

Fortunately, Graham glossed over the faux pas and laughed: ”Sorry, I'm being horrible to you."

Credit: Instagram

The much-loved star previously spoke about the "dramatic and awful" time he had losing Bailey the Bear back in October.

He explained about his beloved furry friend: "He was 15. He was Bailey the Bear… He was on his last legs, he wasn't very mobile or anything. He had a seizure and I took him up to the emergency place up in Cork and we said goodbye.

"I was so glad we got him back here. It was dramatic and awful and yet anyone who has done this knows that moment when you get to give your dog that gift is kind... it's the greatest act of kindness you can do for that animal."

Credit: ITV

Excitement is building as superhost Graham is due to start his brand new weekend show on Virgin Radio tomorrow at 9:30am.

Headhunted by Virgin Radio Head Boy Chris Evans, Graham said: "I don't even think it was three months ago when I was on his show flogging a book and he said 'oh you should come work here' and I thought 'oh it is nice here and close to my house’.

"Then almost as I left the building my agent said 'they've been in touch, they'd like you to come in'. Then I was offered Saturday and Sunday. I was perfectly happy (at Radio 2) with no intention of moving. What I thought I would do is wind down my workload a bit and now I've doubled it."