ALISON Hammond has hit out at critics of her 22-year age gap with her Russian boyfriend, saying it’s insulting to give her a “wildlife classification” by calling her a “cougar”.
, 51, has been dating massage therapist , 29, for three years and insists they are happy together because they “make each other laugh.”
However, she said she faces more criticism as a “cougar” – a slang term for a woman dating a younger man – than older men who date younger women.
Asked about whether she found the term offensive, she said: “It depends who’s saying it and how they’re saying it.
“Sometimes I think it’s funny. Sometimes I think, ‘Darling, I’m not a cougar. I’m a whole safari!’
“But there is definitely a double standard. A man dates a younger woman and everyone goes, “Good for him.”
“A woman dates a younger man and suddenly she’s been given a wildlife classification. Let women enjoy themselves!”
Speaking in the November/December issue of Attitude magazine, which is on newsstands today, she was also asked whether she has a message for those who judge their age difference.
host said: “Mind your business! No, genuinely, I think people spend far too much time worrying about other people’s .
“If two consenting adults are happy, loved,respected and making each other laugh,what exactly is the problem? People will always have an opinion.
“I’ve learned that you can’t live your life according to everybody else’s opinions because you’ll end up exhausted and miserable. Love who you love.”
Praising her partner further, she explained: “I love that we can make each other laugh. That’s the big thing for me.
“Life is too short to be in a relationship where you can’t laugh together. We’re different in lots of ways, but sometimes those differences are exactly what makes it interesting.
“And let’s be honest, I bring the life experience and he brings the youth. It’s basically a human multi-generational home!”
She received the Honorary Gay gong at Wednesday evening’s Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards at London’s Roundhouse, but missed the event after suffering a health scare last Friday which saw her rushed off This Morning to hospital.
In a comment on Instagram on Monday she admitted she “thought it was a heart attack, it was very scary,” although she has since been given the all clear.
is recording a one-off TV special with Fontaines D.C.
Their fans crashed the website after he hinted at the band’s new record, Dopamine Chamber, without naming them as he announced the intimate show in London on October 12.
