Alison Hammond’s debut as presenter of ITV show For The Love Of Dogs was criticized by fans as they claimed she was “not Paul O’Grady”.
Paul became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 following the success of the award-winning show, which he presented for 11 series until shortly before his death last year.
It was announced in January that the This Morning presenter, 49, would take over when the series, which shines a light on animals in need of a family at Battersea Dogs and Cats, returned, prompting mixed reactions from of the spectators.
Her debut show was met with some praise, with some fans praising Alison for having “the touch” and saying Paul’s show was in “good hands.”
But many others pointed out her lack of relationship with the pups and criticized the presenter as “the totally wrong choice” to take the late comedian’s place, calling her “boring as dishwater”.
Alison Hammond’s debut as presenter of ITV show For The Love Of Dogs on Tuesday was criticized by fans as they claimed she was “not Paul O’Grady”.
Paul became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 following the success of the award-winning show, which he presented for 11 series until shortly before his death last year.
For the first episode, Alison met a little puppy called Oscar who was found in a skip, a working dog called Bobby who was sent as a sniffer dog, and a spaniel called Nellie who needed an operation.
On X, critics of Alison’s hosting skills wrote: ‘Alison Hammond in “For the Love of Dogs” is as boring as Dishwater. Paul O’Grady, she’s not’;
‘How can ITV justify replacing the wonderful Paul O’Grady with the loud Alison Hammond for the love of dogs? How does this woman continue to get top jobs on television? She’s trash #PaulOGrady #FortheLoveofDogs’;
‘I’m shocked I just came home and saw Alison Hammond as Paul O.grady’s replacement… NO WAY!! Whoever made this decision needs to see a psychiatrist…’;’
‘Sorry, Alison Hammond, but you’re not Paul O’Grady’; ‘A few minutes later, it’s immediately obvious that she’s not right for this show. Totally wrong choice’;
‘Another great show ruined by ITV which I certainly won’t be watching… What an insult to the wonderful man Mr Paul O’Grady who LOVED all animals #fortheloveofdogs should now be called #fortheloveofGod’;
‘Alison doesn’t seem very natural with dogs. She really should have had a presenter with real passion for them.’
However, many fans jumped to Alison’s defence, insisting she was “tearing him down”.
They said: ‘@AlisonHammond great job on ‘for the love of dogs’ and big shoes to fill.’;
On X, critics of Alison’s hosting skills wrote: ‘Alison Hammond in “For the Love of Dogs” is as boring as Dishwater. Paul O’Grady she is not,
It was announced in January that the This Morning presenter, 49, would take over when the series returned, prompting mixed reactions from viewers.
The show shines a light on animals in need of a family at the Battersea Dogs and Cats home.
Her debut show was met with some praise, with some fans praising Alison for having “the touch” and saying Paul’s show was in “good hands.”
But many others pointed out her lack of relationship with the pups and criticized the presenter as “the totally wrong choice” to take the late comedian’s place, calling her “dull as dishwater”.
‘@AlisonHammond For the love of dogs! You’re absolutely crushing it, girl. Danny (our rescue greyhound) and I knew you would ‘;
‘I’m watching @AlisonHammond in For The Love of Dogs and she is amazing!!! Perfect xx’;
“No one will be better than Paul, but I have to say Alison has the touch and I think she will be happy to see her show and see it in good hands.”
Following the announcement that she would be taking up the role, MailOnline revealed in March that Alison had been struggling to build the relationship her predecessor enjoyed with the ITV show’s four-legged friends; Team members say she is afraid of big dogs.
Alison has never had a dog, and although she apparently loves meeting smaller breeds during photo shoots for the show at London’s Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the larger ones are said to scare her.
A source said: “The show is only in the early stages of pre-production and Alison is great, but bigger dogs scare her.”
“She loves to hug the cute little ones, but then you come across a huge one and it’s a different story. But of course, unless you’re used to being around dogs, it’s intimidating.
Insiders of the show say their fears stem from a devastating childhood memory of witnessing a “feral” dog attack a neighbor in Birmingham.
However, many fans jumped to Alison’s defence, insisting she was “trashing everything”.
Alison Hammond with her This Morning co-presenter Dermot O’Leary. A member of the For The Love of Dogs team claimed that Ms Hammond is afraid of the biggest dogs on the show.
Paul, who passed away last March, became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 following the success of the award-winning show, which he presented for 11 series.
The former Big Brother star told how comedian Julian gave Paul O’Grady his blessing to front the popular series after his death last March, telling him: “he will be very happy.”
As a new host, she was criticized for her lack of experience with dogs, but at the time she said of taking on the role: “It’s a huge responsibility.” And that’s what I want to do on the show because I want to know more about dogs, and I always wanted a dog. You know it. But I always wanted a dog.
‘But you have to take it very, very seriously, don’t you?’
Alsion also told how comedian Julian gave him Paul’s blessing to front the popular series, following his death last March.
Alison recalled her and Julian’s recent heartfelt interaction while presenting Friday’s installment of This Morning with Dermot O’Leary.
She said: “I always wanted a dog, you know, but you have to take it very, very seriously,” and Dermot added: “And Paul loved dogs, obviously.” You got the sweetest message from Julian Clary, didn’t you?
Alison replied: ‘Yeah, he texted me yesterday and just said… First he told me he was in the Maldives, I was a bit jealous…
“And he said, ‘I’m so happy you got the job and Paul really thought a lot of you, Alison, he thought very highly of you, and he’ll be very happy, and so will I,’ and it really got me.
“I’m so happy and I just want to make him proud of his Battersea legacy and continue that work because the charity does such good work.”
‘We just want to find amazing homes for wonderful dogs. I’ve fallen in love with about three.’