TV presenter Alison Hammond took over from the late Paul O’Grady as host of ITV programme For The Love of Dogs, however bosses are looking at axing her after just one series

Alison Hammond’s role as For The Love of Dogs host is under threat – as ITV bosses are discussing axing her after just one series.

Sources close to the show say chiefs have been “very disappointed” with the latest outing of the show with This Morning favourite Alison, 49, at the helm, after she replaced the late Paul O’Grady. And they revealed staff at Battersea Dogs Home have been told Alison’s future in the role is uncertain.

One source said: “Everyone was very excited when Alison was confirmed to replace Paul. She had very big shoes to fill, but it was felt that with her warmth and bubbly personality. Unfortunately the casting has not worked out how the team behind the show hoped – and it has turned out to be a bit of a misfit.

Alison has presented the show for just one series
“ITV are very disappointed because it’s such a well-loved programme, and of course Alison is an ITV favourite too. But unfortunately sometimes in spite of everyone’s best efforts, things just don’t work out. Conversations are now ongoing about her future on the show within ITV and that has been communicated to Battersea. They are of course very passionate about the show, and want it to go on as long as possible.”

For the Love of Dogs, which aired for the first time in 2012, saw cameras follow TV legend and fanatical dog lover Paul as he visited Battersea and met the canines desperate for new homes. It went on to become a massive ratings hit and won National Television Awards for Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme in 2019 and 2023.

And since taking over the show, Alison – who does not have any dogs of her own – has been targeted by a barrage of trolling online.

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The backlash intensified after the owner of charity Wheels to Paws, Claire-Louise Nixon, claimed she was “scared” of dogs. But Alison hit back at criticism in a recent magazine interview, saying: “I was actually surprised with how much (criticism) I got for doing the show.

Paul O’Grady hosted the programme until his death last year
“I could understand in the sense that Paul was so loved, and people were saying: ‘How can she do Love of Dogs when she doesn’t have a dog? How does she love dogs when she doesn’t have a dog.’ It’s like saying: ‘How can you love children when you haven’t got kids?”

ITV last night denied conversations over Alison’s future “at decision-making level” were taking place. An ITV spokesperson added: “This new series is in the middle of its run and standard practice means no meaningful assessment of future plans would be made at this stage. Everyone’s 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 on ITVX.”

The mum-of-one became the target of harsh criticism ever since she was announced to be taking over Paul O’Grady in the program supporting pooches in need of love. She fired back at the comments as she insisted “if you don’t want to watch it, don’t watch it”. Some fans were unimpressed with the fact Alison doesn’t own a dog herself, so expressed concern over how she would be as host.

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Her debut drew in an average audience of 1.84 million viewers, peaking at 2 million. These figures contrast with the more than four million viewers Paul O’Grady attracted in 2021. Paul loved the animals so much he set aside £125,000 in his will to ensure each of his five pooches were well taken care on.

The Lily Savage icon died last spring and Alison was announced as host of For the Love of Dogs in January this year. Of her new role, Alison said: “I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all. I can’t wait to share the joy of their searches for new loving forever homes and hopefully make lots of furry friends of my own along the way.”