Alison Hammond’s potential new role as the host of Strictly Come Dancing has caused waves in the media, but it seems the spotlight could come with some personal concerns. The This Morning presenter, 51, has reportedly expressed worries about how the job might affect her relationship with boyfriend David Putman, 29, especially in light of the infamous Strictly curse that has affected many celebrity couples over the years.
Alison, who has been in a relationship with the model for some time, is said to be concerned about the increased media attention that comes with hosting Strictly. According to sources, she’s worried that the extra scrutiny on her love life could put a strain on their romance. “Alison’s most worried about how the job would affect her and David. She feels they’ve got off lightly so far as people have left them alone. But she knows Strictly would bring increased interest in her love life. It would add more pressure,” an insider told Closer.
The so-called Strictly curse, which has seen many professional dancers form romantic relationships with their celebrity partners during the show’s run, has become legendary in showbiz circles. Alison, while eager to advance her career, reportedly has reservations about becoming the center of this kind of attention.
Superstition and Career Concerns
Adding to her concerns, Alison is described as being superstitious and not wanting to tempt fate by taking on a role that could potentially cause personal and professional disruption. “Alison is quite superstitious and doesn’t want to risk it,” the insider said. “But pals are saddened, as they believe she shouldn’t be ruled by fear and should keep following her path with courage and optimism.”
The potential of hosting Strictly is a huge career move for Alison, whose TV career has been soaring in recent years. The show is one of the BBC’s most popular and high-profile programs, and taking on such a role would undoubtedly elevate Alison’s profile even further. However, she has been hesitant, admitting that the demands of the role might not align with her current workload and personal life.
“Alison knows her TV career has been sky-high for years. But hosting Strictly would take her up a level, which she finds terrifying,” a source said. “She says it’s not practical with her current workload, but there’s a way she could make it work. Alison is scared her life would change under the pressure of the primetime spotlight.”
Alison’s Strictly U-Turn
Alison’s fluctuating stance on the Strictly hosting role has been well-documented in the media. Initially, she ruled herself out of the running, telling Radio Times that she was too busy and that the gig didn’t fit with her schedule. “I can’t do it because everything clashes,” she explained at the time.
However, in a more recent interview with Metro, Alison did a complete U-turn, revealing that she would, in fact, love to take on the role. “Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along? Who would turn down Strictly! They’d be absolutely crazy,” she said. “I was trying to back them off because ultimately everyone keeps putting my name in the mix and they’re ruining my chances of even getting on to Strictly, d’you know what I mean? You all need to stop talking about it because I need to get in.”
Alison continued, “I’m not too busy, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been before. I can do Strictly. I can do it all. All these people saying: ‘I’m too busy, and I can’t do it…’, I could do Strictly. Let’s put that on the record.”
Personal and Professional Balancing Act
While Alison’s comments may suggest she’s open to the challenge, it’s clear that she’s juggling both personal and professional considerations. Balancing her thriving career with her relationship with David, and now potentially the pressure of Strictly, presents a complex situation for the presenter. The added media attention, particularly about her love life, could test the strength of her bond with David.
Alison’s ability to navigate these pressures, while continuing to maintain a strong presence on TV, will likely be a point of interest in the coming months. Fans of the presenter are eager to see whether she will take the plunge and accept the hosting role for Strictly—or whether her concerns about her relationship and the added pressures of fame will keep her from stepping into the glittering spotlight of one of the UK’s biggest shows.
