Alison Hammond’s new job as host of For The Love of Dogs is reportedly under threat as ITV bosses have been left disappointed in this series.
The This Morning alum, 49, has taken over hosting duties on the ITV show from the late Paul O’Grady, who passed away aged 67 in March 2023.
However the overall reception has not been overly positive with some viewers being critical of Alison and suggesting the star lacks ’empathy’ for the pooches featured.
And now ITV bosses are reportedly questioning the future of the show and The Mirror have revealed that Alison’s role is uncertain.
A source told the publication that despite the team’s excitement to have Alison on board, she hasn’t lived up to expectation.
Alison Hammond could reportedly be axed from hosting For Love Of Dogs ‘as bosses at ITV are left disappointed’ after she replaced the late Paul O’Grady in the latest series
And now ITV bosses are reportedly questioning the future of the show and as The Mirror revealed that Alison’s role is uncertain
They explained: ‘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.’
Responding to the Alison’s future on the show, an ITV spokesperson told : ‘Any suggestion that conversations at decision-making level regarding the future of Alison’s role on For the Love of Dogs have been held within ITV or between the production team and Battersea are entirely without foundation.
‘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 heart-warming show began in 2012 as fanatical dog lover Paul visited Battersea and met with the pooches desperate to be rehomed.
The show went on to become a huge ratings hit, winning the National Television Award for Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme in 2019 and 2023.
They explained: ‘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’
The This Morning alum, 49, has taken over hosting duties on the ITV show from the late Paul O’Grady , who passed away aged 67 in March 2023 (Paul pictured on the show in 2016)
Receiving a torrent of abuse online, long-time viewers of the show inevitably compared her to Paul, remarking she has no pets of her own and therefore can’t fully put her ‘heart’ into the stories of the dogs featured
However, since Alison has been slammed by viewers for not being a ‘good fit’ on the show.
During Tuesday’s episode some eagled-eye fans also mentioned the host seemed like she was ‘scared’ to pet the dogs.
Receiving a torrent of abuse online, long-time viewers of the show inevitably compared her to Paul, remarking she has no pets of her own and therefore can’t fully put her ‘heart’ into the stories of the dogs featured.
However, Alison shared her own side of the story as she explained it would be unfair for her to have a dog due to her hectic schedule in television.
Speaking on Rob Beckett and Josh Widdecombe’s podcast Parenting Hell, Alison explained: ‘It’s so weird because everyone is like “She hasn’t got a dog” but I can’t have a dog.
‘I wouldn’t be around it would be unfair. I do love dogs and that’s the reason I don’t have a dog.’
‘Discussing how it felt taking Paul’s place she added: ‘At first I was nervous about doing it because how do you ever bring it back?’
‘Paul O’Grady was so incredible with dogs and he has done so much with dogs and obviously no one can replace Paul but I was thinking more of the dogs and the charity.
‘And I was thinking just do it for the dogs. Let’s get these dogs some homes.’
Meanwhile on Twitter fans snapped: ‘I like Alison but there’s no way she should be on for the love of dogs, reading off a script, scared to even stroke the 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 as she explained it would be unfair for her to have a dog due to her hectic schedule in television
The overall reception has not been overly positive with some viewers being critical of Alison and suggesting the star lacks ’empathy’ for the pooches featured
‘Programme just not good anymore lacking something. Why can’t the staff star in it or have different presenters each week ? #ForTheLoveOfDogs’; ‘No heart in it. Other presenters would’ve been a better choice’.
Yet, other people have been enjoying Alison’s new role and rushed to her defence, with some saying:
‘I feel like the people tweeting are watching a different show to me – i think alison hammond is doing a great job! no, she’s never going to be paul o’grady but she’s not trying to be! he would want the show to continue #fortheloveofdogs’;
‘Alison has done a great job and if she was scared of dogs before then good on her for facing her fears and overcoming it! #fortheloveofdogs’.