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Alison Hammond Hits Back at Trolls After Replacing Paul O’Grady on For The Love Of Dogs

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After facing a mix of reactions following her replacement for the late Paul O’Grady on “For The Love Of Dogs,” Alison Hammond boldly responded to critics, standing her ground.

2023 marked a significant milestone for me when I stepped into the shoes of my beloved idol, Paul, on the ITV’s This Morning show. Sadly, he left us too soon at the age of 67 in March that same year. But I feel honored and humbled to carry on his legacy.

Initially, many viewers didn’t have a favorable response towards Alison, expressing criticism and accusing her of showing little understanding or compassion for the dogs she features.

In preparation for another round as the host, Alison confessed that she was taken aback by the level of online harassment she encountered once she assumed leadership of the show.

She shared with Heat magazine that she was taken aback by the amount of backlash (or criticism) she received for participating in the show.

It seemed clear to me that Paul [O’Grady] was adored, yet some were puzzled by the question of how she could care for dogs if she didn’t own one herself. They wondered about her affinity for dogs without personally having one.

Comparing love for children to having your own kids is illogical to me. If something isn’t appealing to you, simply choose not to engage with it.

In 2012, a heartwarming program started when devoted dog enthusiast Paul stepped into Battersea, encountering numerous canines yearning for new homes.

In the years that followed, I found myself part of a phenomenon – a program that skyrocketed in popularity, garnering massive viewership. Remarkably, it clinched the National Television Award for the Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme not once, but twice; in 2019 and 2023.

Alison took over in April 2024 for one six-part series which earned mixed reviews from fans. 

Online critics, who have been following the program for a long time, frequently drew comparisons between her and Paul, noting that since she doesn’t own any pets, she might struggle to genuinely empathize with the dog stories presented on the show.

Instead, Alison disclosed that her busy TV schedule made it unjust for her to own a pet, since she’d share her perspective on the matter.

In an episode of the Parenting Hell podcast hosted by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdecombe, Alison shared: ‘It’s peculiar since people often say “She doesn’t own a dog,” but I simply can’t have one.’

If I had a dog, it wouldn’t be fair because I can’t care for one right now. But I really enjoy being around dogs and wish I could have one as a pet.”

This version conveys the same idea as the original, but uses more conversational language and provides additional context about the speaker’s feelings towards dogs. It also makes it clear that the speaker is unable to care for a dog at this time, rather than simply stating that they wouldn’t be “around” one.

In her comments, she mentioned that at the beginning, she felt anxious about stepping into Paul’s role, questioning, “How does one restore something once it has been altered?

Paul O’Grady had an exceptional talent with dogs, and his contributions are immense. While it’s impossible to replicate Paul’s work, I find myself pondering about the dogs and the charity he supported.

‘And I was thinking just do it for the dogs. Let’s get these dogs some homes.’

Last year, Alison shared details about her remarkable weight loss journey. She disclosed that the primary factors contributing to her achievement were eliminating sugary treats, reducing fatty meals, and working with a personal fitness coach for regular exercise sessions.

She shared with Good Housekeeping UK that weight-loss injections weren’t suitable for her personal situation. However, she acknowledged their benefits for those who require them: “I believe they’re beneficial for people who need to use them. But whenever I hear anything that might scare me, I tend to become fearful.

I’ve chosen not to use them yet, but I may do so in the future. And I want to make it clear that I respect those who do.

She stated, “My mom suffered from type 2 diabetes, which made her anxious for me. So when I later discovered I was pre-diabetic, it was alarming. I realized, ‘I need to take responsibility for this.’ This meant giving up sweets and reducing my intake of fatty foods.

Two times a week, I visit my fitness coach, and there are some dumbbells in my home for use. I engage in walking, stretching exercises, and occasionally practice a little bit of yoga.

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2025-03-25 19:07

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