‘People won’t watch!’ fume For The Love of Dogs fans as ITV replaces Paul O’Grady with ‘overexposed’ Alison Hammond

ITV fans have been left fuming over the announcement that Alison Hammond will be taking over from Paul O’Grady as the new host of For the Love of Dogs. 

The late TV legend presented the ITV programme from 2012 until his death last March. He was 67.

Since then, the fate of his beloved ITV show For The Love of Dogs has been left up in the air, but the broadcaster confirmed yesterday that the show would be returning with This Morning host Alison Hammond at the helm. 

Alison, 48, will be heading to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to help the animals in their care to look for a new place to live later this year. 

But the announcement has been met with criticism, as Paul’s fans are not happy with Alison as the new presenter. 

Many believe Alison, who also presents The Great British Bake Off, is “overexposed” while others claim that she isn’t a true dog lover like Paul. 

Fans quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their criticisms of yesterday’s announcement. 

One said: “Why is she on nearly every show going? She isn’t the only presenter. I’m fed up with hearing that loud, not very sincere voice on TV.”

Many For the Love of Dogs fans have since voiced the opinion that Julian Clary, who was Paul’s long-time friend and is a passionate animal lover, should have taken over the role. 

Speaking of Alison’s casting, another fan said: “Sorry, but this is the wrong choice. Julian Clary or someone who really loves dogs would be the better option.”

A third agreed: “What in insult. At least get Julian Clary or someone who values dogs and loved Paul.”

A fourth fan pointed out that Paul’s long-time fans might not choose to tune into the show because of this. “Alison Hammond got it?? Julian Clary should have got it, if they don’t get the right presenter, and it’s really hard as Paul O’Grady left gigantic shoes to fill, people are just not going to watch it,” they said.

“NO! Alison Hammond is not right for this show. You need a true dog lover. Someone with a passion for their welfare. Someone that understands rescue work, which can be incredibly difficult. Julian Clary or the wonderful Peter Egan would be perfect. ITV has really f***ed up here,” a fifth fan criticised. 

Many viewers continued to voice their admiration for Alison, but agreed that she shouldn’t be the one to replace Paul.

One said: “Listen. I love Alison. But I think I’m just a bit biassed here. The only way I’d have been happy would have been with Julian Clary. Like, Paul dying still feels raw to me. It feels like it was last week it happened.”

“Like her, but don’t get why it’s not Julian Clary, as he’d be the perfect replacement being a dog lover and such a good friend of Paul’s!” agreed another.

Since ITV made the announcement, Alison has acknowledged the magnitude of taking on this role. She 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!”

Meanwhile, Satmohan Panesar, Commissioning Editor for ITV said: “We are thrilled to be able to confirm that the series will return in the spring and that the dogs have a brand-new champion in Alison Hammond.

“As Paul O’Grady always said himself, the stars of the show were the dogs themselves, but the impact that he had and the legacy he leaves will never be forgotten by any of us.

“We can’t wait to welcome back the series with Alison; there will be all the fun and warmth that our viewers have come to expect whilst continuing to showcase the wonderful and important work done by the incredible team at Battersea.”

An air date for the show is yet to be confirmed.