When Alison Hammond was announced as the new presenter of For the Love of Dogs, the move received some backlash.
The This Morning presenter, 49, is replacing the late Paul O’Grady on the ITV show based at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
However, Alison’s appointment has been criticised, with some fans fearing she is ‘overexposed’ and others pointing out her lack of dog knowledge.
Since her first major TV role on Big Brother, Alison’s career has gone from strength to strength.
In addition to This Morning, Alison also took over from outgoing Bake Off presenter, Matt Lucas, and will now helm For the Love of Dogs.
On X, some viewers feared Alison might be getting a bit too much screen time, with @HelloLindstrom savagely commenting: ‘Christ is there a show she isn’t on,’
Echoing their sentiment, @IrlMOS added: ‘Is it possible for itv to bring in some fresh blood, why do they regurgitate the same people over and over again?’
Even Alison’s loyal fans voiced their concerns that ITV might need to widen their presenter pool.
‘I like her but i just wanted someone different. It always feels like its either going to be Alison , Stephen Mulhern, Bradley Walsh. I would have liked to see someone different and known animal lover like Julian Clary,’ said@GeordieJersey1.
Others were simply pining after O’Grady, whom they could not picture the show without.
‘Won’t be the same without Paul O’Grady I’m afraid :(,’ wrote @DanielD29511696.
Unlike O’Grady, who owned several pets, Alison does not have a dog due to the responsibility involved – which some For the Love of Dogs fans took umbrage with.
She also said it clashed with her working single mum lifestyle.
‘It’s a massive responsibility. I’ve always wanted a dog but you have to take it seriously,’ Alison explained.
Criticism was further fuelled on an episode of This Morning in February, some viewers claimed Alison was ‘awkward’ when a dog appeared on the show.
‘Laughing my ass off at #ThisMorning trying so hard to make #AlisonHammond seem like a dog person. She ain’t. We all know it. And I won’t be watching For The Love Of Dogs with her fronting it,’ wrote BusyBuzzyBoo on X.
Account Blossom added: ‘Having worked as a volunteer at a local rescue and some temporary fostering Alison isn’t the person to front FTLOD.
‘If you can’t be confident around dogs then you’ll fail at gaining their trust.’
However, many others, including O’Grady’s friend Julian Clary, have backed Alison for the role.
She told co-host Dermot O’Leary that the 64-year-old comedian messaged to say: ‘Paul actually thought a lot of you. He would be so happy you got the job, as am I.’
Viewers have also defended Alison, with X user @David96781448 among those stating: ‘I really don’t get the hate that Alison gets. She’s perfect. She’ll muck in like Paul did. Of course, it won’t be the same without Paul, but give her a chance.’
On Tuesday, Alison responded to the trolling she received saying she was ‘surprised’ by the amount of criticism.
She told The Sun: ‘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?”
‘It’s such a flawed argument for me and all I would say is: “If you don’t want to watch it, don’t watch it.” That’s what I would say to those trolls: “Don’t watch it then. If you don’t want to help Battersea, don’t watch it”.’
The mum-of-one added: “Trolls will be trolls and I’ll still do what I do best, which is TV presenting and you’ll see for yourself, I think it’s authentic and I loved doing it.
The six-part series will tell the stories of the latest arrivals in Battersea, with Alison on hand to help staff and volunteers take care of the animals and prepare them for re-homing.
On the 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!’
O’Grady’s connection to the South London rescue centre began when he adopted several dogs from the charity: mongrels Arfur and Nancy, shih-tzu Boycie, chihuahua/Jack Russell cross Eddie and a dachshund called Sausage.
Initially, O’Grady – also known for his alter-ego Lily Savage – only planned to film at the home for six days, but he stayed as a volunteer for six months.
At the end of the first season, he was invited to become an ambassador for the home.
Following his ‘sudden’ death from cardiac arrhythmia, Battersea named its veterinary hospital in O’Grady’s honour and set up a tribute fund that raised £480,000.
He also left the animal charity £550,000 of his £15.5million will.
For the Love of Dogs starts tonight on ITV and ITVX at 8pm.
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