Alison Hammond has faced backlash from trolls after being appointed as the new host of the show For The Love of Dogs following the death of Paul O’Grady, who was the previous host. Paul had become an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 after hosting the award-winning programme for 11 series. Some viewers criticized Alison for not having any dogs of her own and questioned her ability to host a show about loving dogs. Despite the criticism, Alison dismissed the trolls and stated that if they don’t want to watch the show, they don’t have to. She emphasized that the negative comments say more about the trolls than about her.
After taking on the role, Alison expressed her awareness that she could never replace the iconic Paul O’Grady in the series but pledged to shine a light on the work done at Battersea and tell the stories of the dogs looking for new homes. She also expressed excitement at sharing the joy of the animals’ journey to finding loving forever homes. The commissioning editor at ITV, Satmohan Panesar, expressed enthusiasm about Alison being the new host and the return of the series in the spring, highlighting the impact Paul O’Grady had and the legacy he left behind. Battersea chief executive Peter Laurie also shared his excitement about the upcoming series and the opportunity to continue showcasing the work of the charity.
In remembrance of Paul O’Grady, who was awarded a special recognition award at the 2018 National Television Awards for his work on For The Love of Dogs, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s head of animal behavior, Ali Taylor, shared insights about Paul’s dedication to finding homes for every animal he worked with on the show. Taylor revealed that Paul always tried to take a new dog home with him after each episode and was passionate about highlighting the plight of rescue animals. The crew enjoyed working with him, and his presence brought laughter to the filming sessions. Paul’s commitment to rehoming animals and raising awareness about their needs left a lasting impact on everyone involved in the show.
Alison emphasized that despite the backlash, she would continue doing what she does best, which is TV presenting, and appreciated the opportunity to work with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and help promote their cause. She acknowledged that she could never replace Paul, but expressed her willingness to give her all to showcase the charity’s work and help the animals in need. The team at Battersea is looking forward to welcoming Alison and introducing her to the animals in their care as they embark on a new series of For The Love of Dogs. The continued collaboration with ITV and the support of Alison as the new host aim to raise awareness about rescue animals and the importance of finding them loving homes.
Despite the initial criticism, Alison remains positive about her new role and is determined to focus on the animals and the important work being done at Battersea. She encouraged viewers to tune in to the show and see for themselves the authenticity of her interactions with the animals and her dedication to the cause. The legacy of Paul O’Grady and the impact of For The Love of Dogs on helping rescue animals find homes nationwide continue to be honored through the ongoing efforts of the team at Battersea and the new host, Alison Hammond. The show’s return in the spring promises to bring warmth, fun, and heartwarming stories of the furry friends seeking new homes.
