Alison Hammond was announced earlier this year as the late Paul O’Grady’s replacement to front his beloved series, For the Love of Dogs.
Since taking on the role, Hammond has received some harsh criticism from fans of the show, but it seems ITV is also questioning whether the 49-year-old should continue hosting the programme.
It’s been reported bosses are considering axing Hammond from the role after the series wraps up. The reports follow weeks of complaints from viewers over Hammond’s casting to the role and natural chemistry with the animals.
According to sources, bosses have also been left “very disappointed” with the current instalments of the show.
They reportedly told staff at Battersea Dogs Home, where the series is centred around, that Hammond’s future on the show is uncertain.
“Everyone was very excited when Alison was confirmed to replace Paul,” a source told the Mirror.
ITV bosses are reportedly ‘disappointed’ with Alison Hammond’s stint on For the Love of Dogs
ITV
They continued: “She had very big shoes to fill, but it was felt that with her warmth and bubbly personality.
“Unfortunately the casting has not worked out how the team behind the show hoped – and it has turned out to be a bit of a misfit.
“ITV are very disappointed because it’s such a well-loved programme, and of course, Alison is an ITV favourite too.
“But unfortunately sometimes in spite of everyone’s best efforts, things just don’t work out.
Hammond made her debut on the dog series earlier this year
ITV
“Conversations are now ongoing about her future on the show within ITV and that has been communicated to Battersea.
“They are of course very passionate about the show, and want it to go on as long as possible.”
Several fans of the show made their opinions known about Hammond landing the gig, with some arguing she wasn’t passionate enough about dogs to replace famous dog-lover O’Grady.
Shortly after making her show debut, Hammond hit back at some of the comments she faced.
She admitted: “I was actually surprised with how much I got for doing the show. 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.'”
Speaking to The Sun, the presenter continued: “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.'”
A spokesperson from ITV has since denied the claims, stating to GB News: “Any suggestion that conversations at decision-making level regarding the future of Alison’s role on For the Love of Dogs have been held within ITV or between the production team and Battersea are entirely without foundation.
“This new series is in the middle of its run and standard practice means no meaningful assessment of future plans would be made at this stage.
“Everyone’s really pleased with the way Alison has brought her warmth and enthusiasm to the show and we hope viewers continue to enjoy it over the next month on ITV1 and on ITVX.”
Post comments (0)