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For The Love Of Dogs’ host Alison Hammond reveals terror over dog attack in memoir – as she’s forced to defend new role
Alison also shared a sweet message from Julian Clary, who was also in the running for the role
NEW For The Love of Dogs presenter Alison Hammond opened up about witnessing a horrifying "savage" dog attack on a neighbour as a child.
The This Morning host, 48, who was announced as the late Paul O’Grady’s replacement on the ITV show last week, wrote about the bloody incident in her 2021 autobiography You’ve Got To Laugh.
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Recalling growing up in a quiet street Alison recalled how a "stray dog" attacked one of her young neighbours.
She wrote: “I saw the whole thing happen: the dog took a massive chunk out of his leg and blood poured everywhere.
"I had to help him hobble back to his mum, screaming in pain, and for weeks afterwards the kids on our street never stopped talking about savage dogs and gushing wounds.”
It comes as Alison, who has never owned a dog, appeared to speak out on the fan backlash about her signing on This Morning on Friday, insisting she wants to “find out more about dogs.”
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She added: "It's a massive responsibility. And that's what I want to do the show because I want to find out about dog, and I've always wanted a dog.
"You know that. But I've always wanted a dog. But you have to take it very, very seriously, don't you?"
The late TV legend O'Grady presented the ITV programme, which is filmed at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, from 2012 until his death last March. He was 67.
Some fans were left disgruntled by the move, taking to social media to complain.
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Dog lovers Amanda Holden, Martin Clunes and Ricky Gervais were also reportedly in the running to host the reboot, as was Paul's close friend Julian Clary.
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But Alison revealed there are no hard feelings between her and Julian as she shared a sweet message from him on This Morning.
She said Julian had told her: "Paul actually thought a lot of you. He would be so happy you got the job, as am I."
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