Alison Hammond’s new job as presenter of For The Love of Dogs is reportedly under threat as ITV bosses were left disappointed with this series.
The This Morning alum, 49, has taken on presenting duties for the ITV show, replacing the late Paul O’Grady, who He died at the age of 67 in March 2023.
However, the overall reception hasn’t been overly positive with some viewers criticizing Alison and suggesting the star lacks “empathy” for the dogs featured.
And now ITV bosses are reportedly questioning the show’s future and Mirror have revealed that Alison’s role is uncertain.
A source told the publication that despite the team’s enthusiasm for having Alison on board, she didn’t live up to expectations.
Alison Hammond could reportedly be axed as host of For Love Of Dogs ‘as ITV bosses are disappointed’ after she replaced the late Paul O’Grady in the latest series.
And now ITV bosses are reportedly questioning the show’s future, with The Mirror revealing Alison’s role is uncertain.
They explained: ‘Unfortunately, the casting didn’t work out as the team behind the show had hoped and it turned out to be a bit of a misfit.
‘ITV is very disappointed because it is a much-loved show and of course Alison is an ITV favorite too. But unfortunately, sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, things just don’t work out.
‘Talks about his future on the show are now ongoing within ITV and this has been communicated to Battersea. Of course, they are very passionate about the show and want it to last as long as possible.’
Responding to Alison’s future on the show, an ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: “Any suggestion that discussions have been held at decision-making level about the future of Alison’s role in For the Love of Dogs within ITV or between the production team and Battersea is entirely unfounded.
‘This new series is halfway through its run and standard practice means that no meaningful assessment of future plans will be made at this stage.
“Everyone is really pleased with the way Alison has brought her warmth and enthusiasm to the show and we hope viewers continue to enjoy it over the next month on ITV1 and ITVX.”
The heartwarming show began in 2012 when dog-loving fanatic Paul visited Battersea and met the dogs desperate to be rehomed.
The program became a great audience success, winning the award National Television Award for Most Popular Factual Entertainment Program in 2019 and 2023.
They explained: ‘ITV is very disappointed because it is a much-loved show and of course Alison is an ITV favorite too. But unfortunately, sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, things just don’t work out.”
The This Morning alum, 49, took on presenting duties on the ITV show, replacing the late Paul O’Grady, who died aged 67 in March 2023 (Paul pictured on the show in 2016).
Receiving a torrent of online abuse, long-time viewers of the show inevitably compared her to Paul, commenting that she has no pets of her own and therefore cannot fully put her “heart” into the stories of the dogs featured.
However, since Alison has been criticized by viewers for not being a good fit for the program.
During Tuesday’s episodeSome eagle-eyed fans also mentioned that the presenter seemed to be “afraid” to pet the dogs.
Receiving a torrent of online abuse, long-time viewers of the show inevitably compared her to Paul, commenting that she has no pets of her own and therefore cannot fully put her “heart” into the stories of the dogs featured.
However, Alison shared her own side of the story and explained that it would be unfair for her to have a dog due to her hectic TV schedule.
Speaking on Rob Beckett and Josh Widdecombe’s Parenting Hell podcast, Alison explained: “It’s so strange because everyone says, ‘She doesn’t have a dog,’ but I can’t have a dog.”
“It wouldn’t be close, it would be unfair.” I love dogs and that’s the reason I don’t have a dog.
“Discussing how it felt to take Paul’s place, she added: ‘I was nervous about doing it at first because how are you going to get him back?’
“Paul O’Grady was amazing with the dogs and has done a lot with them and obviously no one can replace Paul, but I was thinking more about the dogs and the charity.
‘And I was thinking about doing it for the dogs. Let’s get these dogs a home.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, fans blurted out: ‘I like Alison, but there’s no way she should show up for the love of dogs, reading a script, being afraid to even pet dogs!’; Our Alison doesn’t like dogs, why is she hosting this? show LOL #ForTheLoveOfDogs’; ‘Alison is so uneducated when it comes to animals, absolutely terrible presenter #ForTheLoveOfDogs’;
However, Alison shared her own side of the story and explained that it would be unfair for her to have a dog due to her hectic TV schedule.
The overall reception hasn’t been overly positive, with some viewers criticizing Alison and suggesting the star lacks “empathy” for the dogs featured.
‘The program is no longer good, it is missing something. Why can’t the staff star in it or have different presenters each week? #ForTheLoveOfDogs’; There’s no heart in it. Other presenters would have been a better choice.”
However, other people have been enjoying Alison’s new role and rushed to her defense, with some saying:
‘I feel like the people who tweet are watching a different program than mine. I think Alison Hammond is doing a great job! No, she’ll never be Paul O’grady, but she’s not trying to be! would like the show to go on #fortheloveofdogs’;
‘Alison has done a great job and if she was afraid of dogs before, good for her for facing her fears and overcoming them! #porelamoralosperros’.