[Ammi]

Alison Hammond is to take over from Paul O'Grady as host of ITV's For The Love Of Dogs.

The popular show goes behind the scenes at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home as it tries to find new owners for its animal residents.

O'Grady hosted the programme for more than a decade until his death last year.

Hammond, 48, who is known for shows such as This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, said she was keen to get started and "make lots of furry friends".

"I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series," she said.

"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."

The animal shelter's boss, Peter Laurie, said everyone was excited about working with Hammond and "introducing her to the incredible animals in our care".

For The Love of Dogs has won several National Television Awards and TV Choice Awards, and was also nominated for a BAFTA.


ITV commissioning editor Satmohan Panesar said the show would return in the spring and feature the same "fun and warmth" shown by O'Grady.

"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," said the ITV executive.

O'Grady died unexpectedly in March, with more than £130,000 donated to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in the days afterwards.

In December, animal rights group PETA posthumously named him their person of the year in recognition of his years of campaigning.



https://news.sky.com/story/alison-ha...-dogs-13060265

[AnnieK]

She has some big shoes to fill on that show but hopefully she'll be great.. I hope she has the love for them that Paul did.

[Ammi]

…yeah I agree, Annie…the whole concept of the show is in the title, isn’t it…Paul had that love for dogs and that was something that many of us knew before he hosted the show…dogs and the homing of dogs who didn’t have families etc were always a passion for him…I was trying to think which celebrities do have that same passion that I’ve seen so far…and although I don’t think he would have presented it or had time to, I found myself thinking of Ricky Gervais…he’s such a huge animal lover and has that same passion…?…and would give a really fresh vibe as a presenter, I feel….

[Ammi]

…anyway, that’s not to take anything away from Alison…hopefully she’ll fill the role nicely with her own style…

[Oliver_W]

I'd never really associated her with dogs before, but I guess she's as good as anyone else who isn't Paul O'Grady.

[bitontheslide]

there are a lot of dog lovers out there so if they couldn't find one that loved dogs, they didnt try very hard

[Oliver_W]

I know she's not a presenter, but I like the Geordie receptionist from Dog House or the lady with long hair who's worked at the rehoming place for several years.

[Zizu]

At least she’s not Clare bloody Balding


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[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

I'd never really associated her with dogs before, but I guess she's as good as anyone else who isn't Paul O'Grady.

Does she actually own a dawg ?

If not the producers have kinda shot themselves in the foot


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[Vanessa]

She will be great. I love her. So genuine and funny.

[Mystic Mock]

Good luck to her as it's big shoes to fill.

[Zizu]

Pure madness .,

She’s apparently admitted on This Morning more than once , that she doesn’t like dogs !


This story could explode given the public outcry already …

Alan Davies, Amanda Holden, Martin Clunes, Julian Clary etc have all worked with dogs and would have fitted the show better.


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[Kazanne]

I would love a job like that,i did think Julian Clary might get it as he was Pauls friend and an animal lover, never even thought of Alison Hammond,Tom Hardy was also mentioned but maybe he is too busy with his acting jobs,I just hope she loves the animas as much as Paul did.

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I would love a job like that,i did think Julian Clary might get it as he was Pauls friend and an animal lover, never even thought of Alison Hammond,Tom Hardy was also mentioned but maybe he is too busy with his acting jobs,I just hope she loves the animas as much as Paul did.

Well it’s not looking good if it’s true she’s admitted to not liking dogs !!

The regular viewers will easily see through her I reckon ..


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[arista]

Originally Posted by Zizu

Well it’s not looking good if it’s true she’s admitted to not liking dogs !!

The regular viewers will easily see through her I reckon ..

If that is true, it will not work

[Gusto Brunt]

Maybe she thinks she is being signed up for a show called For The Love of Hot Dogs.

[thesheriff443]

This is what p1ss’s me off with television companies
Give some other fcuker a chance

But instead they get known faces to do basically everything that’s why Phil Schofield got away with grooming

[Cherie]

Will see how she is, but tbh ITV are very closeted in who they use, I can't believe they would give the gig to someone who doesn't like dogs apart from anything else its disrespectful to Pauls memory so I hope that is not true

[Zizu]

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[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Zizu

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That is not exactly confirmation she doesn't like dogs ...I don't think she would take this on if that was the case, it will soon be evident and could destroy her career, it is a strange job to take on when you dont own a dog I will give you that though

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Cherie

That is not exactly confirmation she doesn't like dogs ...I don't think she would take this on if that was the case, it will soon be evident and could destroy her career, it is a strange job to take on when you dont own a dog I will give you that though

Oh yeah .. those pix were just showing a few of the hundreds of websites that are uncomfortable with her hosting the show I

She has apparently stated on This Morning that she doesn’t like dogs ..

I don’t watch the program so I can’t confirm one way or another


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[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Zizu

Oh yeah .. those pix were just showing a few of the hundreds of websites that are uncomfortable with her hosting the show I

She has apparently stated on This Morning that she doesn’t like dogs ..

I don’t watch the program so I can’t confirm one way or another


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tbh some people would moan if they said Paul was rising from the dead to reprise the role thats just how some people are, I think we need to wait and see she might blow our socks off and who knows she might adopt a dog first week...lets wait and see

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Cherie

tbh some people would moan if they said Paul was rising from the dead to reprise the role thats just how some people are, I think we need to wait and see she might blow our socks off and who knows she might adopt a dog first week...lets wait and see

I thought I heard Amanda Holden was rumoured to be the new host . And I can't see Alison doing it if she dislikes dogs ... maybe she just doesn't own a dog. It would be a nice thought of she adopted one .

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

I thought I heard Amanda Holden was rumoured to be the new host . And I can't see Alison doing it if she dislikes dogs ... maybe she just doesn't own a dog. It would be a nice thought of she adopted one .

Online they’re saying she’s mentioned her dislike of dogs a couple of times on the This Morning show

Plus she apparently doesn’t even have any pets ..


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[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Zizu

Online they’re saying she’s mentioned her dislike of dogs a couple of times on the This Morning show

Plus she apparently doesn’t even have any pets ..


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Without any direct quotes or vids, she deserves the benefit of the doubt tbh