The much-loved presenter has faced negativity from fans of the show.
Alison Hammond could be sacked as host of the popular ITV show For The Love of Dogs after poor reviews from viewers.
Sources revealed to The Mirror that executives on the show are “very disappointed” following a negative reaction from viewers, and are ‘considering axing Alison’ after just one series.
One source reportedly 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.
“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.”
The This Morning star replaced the late Paul O’Grady as host of the programme, after the comedian’s sudden passing in March.
For the Love of Dogs first aired in 2012 and the main draw of the show initially was following fanatical dog lover O’Grady as he visited Battersea and showcased the dogs 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.
It was arguably not going to be easy for anyone to take over hosting duties for the show, considering the nature of the vacancy, but Hammond has been targeted by a barrage of trolling online with some people claiming that the 49-year-old ‘doesn’t even like dogs’.
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.”
She added: “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?”
When Hammond faced backlash after the announcement was made that she would become the new face of the show, she hit back at naysayers online saying “if you don’t want to watch it, don’t watch it”.
One Twitter user wrote: “For the love of dogs, Alison Hammond frighten to touch the dogs sorry cannot watch it switched off.”
Another posted: “Whilst it was always going to be difficult replacing the late great PaulOGrady on for the love of dogs surely they could have at least chosen someone who actually likes dogs!! Alison Hammond really doesn’t appear to.”
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.
O’Grady famously left £500 million to Battersea Dogs Home in his will, and set aside £125,000 for his own dogs to be looked after following his death.
Related Links:
Alison Hammond named as Paul O’Grady’s replacement on ITV’s For The Love of Dogs
Paul O’Grady leaves £500k to Battersea Dogs Home in his will
Thousands line the streets for Paul O’Grady’s funeral
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home receives more than £110,000 following Paul O’Grady’s death
