For The Love Of Dogs viewers say the same thing about Alison Hammond after huge backlash

Viewers praised Alison Hammond after doubting her capacity to take over For The Love Of Dogs following Paul O’Grady’s death

After receiving mixed reviews for her debut at the helm of For The Love Of Dogs, Alison Hammond was praised by a multitude of viewers, who were once fans of the late Paul O’Grady.

Alison Hammond has finally won over ITV viewers after this week’s instalment of For The Love Of Dogs.

The This Morning star was back in the beloved show this Tuesday, April 30, at 8pm, championing adorable pooches in need of help, despite a shaky start to the series which led to many mixed reactions on social media.

Alison, who was announced as the program’s new host in January, 2024, made her debut earlier this month and fans who missed the late Paul O’Grady were sceptical about her work. Many TV fans were unsure bosses had picked the right person to present the show.

Alison Hammond’s bubbly personality has finally won over ITV viewers after a shaky start to For The Love Of Dogs ( Image: ITV)

But all doubts about her performance in front of the cameras were forgotten during last night’s instalment of the popular program as viewers swarmed over to X, otherwise known as Twitter, to praise Alison for her hard work, bidding her “well done.”

“I am absolutely adoring @AlisonHammond presenting this show her bond with the dogs is just amazing. Paul would be very proud of you”, one of them penned. Another echoed: “Alison Hammond may have been slated by people but seriously…. I honestly think Paul O’Grady would be more than happy with Alison taking on the role, and more so that the show continues and helps more woofs find forever loving homes. Thank you Alison.”

A third TV watcher agreed: “Alison is smashing for the love of dogs. She’s not trying to be PoG but adding her own humour. Well done.” The famous host has even managed to convince previously sceptical viewers: “I wasn’t sure about @AlisonHammond taking over from the lovely Paul O’Grady but she’s really making the effort to lower her voice around the animals and she seems like she really cares which is lovely to see!”

One then commented: “‘I’m sticking with #ForTheLoveOfDogs #AlisonHammond is kinda growing on me, she’s not loud on this!! Nothing more cuter than puppies.”

Filling the void left by the beloved Paul O’Grady has been no easy feat for the 49-year-old as many viewers were heavily critical of her debut. At the time, one angrily wrote: “Why has Alison Hammond been given the job ‘for the love of Dogs’ ? She doesn’t own a dog never has”, while another had fumed: “Alison Hammond on ‘For the Love of Dogs’ is as Dull as Dishwater. Paul O’Grady she is not.”

The famous presenter, who earned recognition as a comedian and flamboyant drag queen Lily Savage, passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” at his home in Kent, on March 28, 2023, from a sudden cardiac arrhythmia, days after his final performance as Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

One year after his passing, his widower Andre Portasio appeared on the set of Loose Women and revealed that Paul’s death had prompted Queen Camilla, who shared a close bond with the beloved star, to write him a heartfelt letter. “I was shocked to receive a letter from her and, I must confess, it took me so long to reply. It’s not every day that you receive a letter from the Queen!” He also stated he had taken their dogs to say goodbye to his other half prior to his funeral.