Celebrity Gogglebox recently saw the highly anticipated debut of This Morning star Alison Hammond, who appeared on the show on Friday, July 4. Hammond, aged 50, was joined by her sister, Sandra, and her son, Aiden, marking a significant moment for fans and critics alike. The episode began with a lighthearted exchange where Alison and Sandra playfully admonished Aiden for neglecting his hayfever tablets, a moment that quickly set the tone for their candid commentary.

During their appearance, the Hammond family, along with other celebrities, watched a diverse range of television content. This included an episode of Squid Game season 3, the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury, the new Netflix documentary titled Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, and the game show Bridge of Lies. The star-studded lineup for this Celebrity Gogglebox edition also featured familiar faces such as Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, Jennifer Saunders and her daughter Beattie, Rylan Clark and his mother Linda, Roman and Martin Kemp, and Fearne Cotton and Georgia Tennant. Other notable personalities included Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates, Jordan Banjo and Perrie Kiely, and Jonathan Ross and Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Alison Hammond’s debut sparked a polarized reaction among viewers, particularly on social media. Many fans took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction, with some lamenting her perceived ubiquity on television. Comments ranged from rhetorical questions like “Is there anything that Alison Hammond hasn’t been on yet?” to accusations of her “ruining a programme.” Some viewers specifically criticized her “fake laugh” and felt her presence had “hijacked the show.” This wave of negative sentiment highlighted a segment of the audience that felt Alison Hammond was overexposed on television.

Conversely, Alison’s appearance was met with considerable enthusiasm from another portion of the audience. Supporters lauded her involvement, with one calling her a “fabulous addition” and another exclaiming, “Yes! The family we’ve been waiting for on Gogglebox.” Many felt her inclusion was “overdue,” indicating a strong desire among some fans to see her on the popular show. These positive reactions underscored the varied appeal of Alison Hammond’s on-screen persona.

Prior to her debut, Alison Hammond herself conveyed immense excitement about joining Celebrity Gogglebox. She expressed her joy at the opportunity to watch television with her son, Aiden, for the nation, emphasizing that it was a “real family affair” with her sister Saundra also participating. Hammond promised viewers “laughs, eye-rolls, and lots of commentary, classic Hammond style!” This anticipation set the stage for an episode that generated significant discussion. Celebrity Gogglebox is scheduled to continue on Friday, July 11, at 9 pm on Channel 4.