Former Saved By The Bell hunk Mario Lopez has encountered a problem with hosting his ANIMAL PLANET show PET STAR - he's allergic to cats.

During a 21 August (04) taping in Los Angeles, Lopez, whose brief marriage to Ali Landry crumbled earlier this year (04), was left a little distressed when a cat climbed onto a ladder and landed on its owner's back before pouncing on the TV personality's shoulder.

An eyewitness says, "Mario immediately started itching, sneezing and coughing. He admitted, 'I am so allergic to cats!' and stepped offstage to recover."

05/09/2004 21:00