The world of British television is no stranger to dramatic casting changes, but the latest shake-up surrounding ITV’s beloved For The Love of Dogs has sent fans into a tailspin. Alison Hammond, the charismatic presenter who took over the show in 2024 following the death of Paul O’Grady, is reportedly stepping down after a tumultuous tenure marked by viewer backlash and personal challenges. In a surprising twist, ITV has tapped none other than Holly Willoughby, the former This Morning star and seasoned TV veteran, to replace her. The announcement, confirmed through sources close to ITV and discussed widely on platforms like X, has ignited a mix of excitement, skepticism, and curiosity among viewers. What led to Hammond’s exit, and can Willoughby fill the paw prints left by O’Grady and Hammond? Let’s explore the drama, the emotions, and the stakes behind this high-profile handover at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
For The Love of Dogs, now in its 12th year, has been a cornerstone of ITV’s programming since 2012, when Paul O’Grady brought his infectious love for animals to the screen. Filmed at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the show follows the journeys of abandoned and rescued dogs, showcasing their rehabilitation and search for forever homes. O’Grady’s warmth, humor, and genuine passion for animals made the series a national treasure, inspiring countless adoptions and earning millions of viewers. His sudden death from a heart attack in March 2023 left a void that seemed impossible to fill. When Alison Hammond, known for her bubbly personality on This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, was announced as his successor in January 2024, ITV hoped her infectious energy would carry the show forward. However, Hammond’s run was anything but smooth.
From the outset, Hammond faced intense scrutiny. Fans, fiercely loyal to O’Grady, struggled to embrace a new host, particularly one who didn’t own a dog and had a documented fear of them. In her 2021 autobiography, You’ve Got To Laugh, Hammond recounted witnessing a traumatic dog attack as a child, which left her apprehensive around canines. This fear became a focal point of criticism, with viewers on X and in media reports noting her hesitancy to interact with Battersea’s dogs. One fan tweeted, “Alison looks terrified to even stroke the dogs—she’s no Paul,” while another remarked, “She’s reading a script, not feeling the love.” A 2019 incident, reported by The Sun, further fueled the narrative: during a This Morning segment at Wheels to Paws charity, founder Claire-Louise Nixon claimed Hammond was “scared” of her 27 disabled dogs, admitting she took the job to “pay my mortgage.” These stories painted Hammond as an ill-fit host, despite her efforts to win over skeptics.
Hammond’s tenure wasn’t without moments of success. By the end of her first series in May 2024, some fans began to warm to her, with one X post praising her for “bringing warmth and enthusiasm” to the show. ITV defended her, stating she had “carried on Paul’s legacy” by helping dozens of dogs find homes. The second series, which aired in April 2025, saw Hammond grow more comfortable, with episodes highlighting heartwarming adoptions, like that of Dougal the Bichon Frise. Yet, the backlash persisted. Reports from GB News and Daily Mail in April and May 2025 revealed growing fan discontent, with many calling for her replacement by someone with a stronger connection to dogs, such as Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks or comedian Ricky Gervais. A recurring complaint was Hammond’s absence from This Morning during this period, which some speculated was due to stress from the criticism.
Behind the scenes, tensions were mounting. A Mirror report in May 2024 quoted Battersea staff saying Hammond’s casting was a “misfit,” with ITV bosses “very disappointed” in her performance. By May 2025, sources confirmed to Daily Record that Hammond had filmed her final episode, with ITV opting not to renew her contract for a third series. The decision, while not publicly addressed by Hammond, was hinted at in her social media silence about the show’s future, a stark contrast to her usual engagement with fans. Speculation about her exit reasons varies: some point to the relentless trolling she faced—Hammond admitted to The Sun in March 2025 that she was “surprised” by the abuse—while others suggest her packed schedule, including new BBC shows like Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend, made continuing untenable.
Enter Holly Willoughby, whose appointment as the new host has electrified the For The Love of Dogs fanbase. Willoughby, 43, is a familiar face to ITV viewers, having co-hosted This Morning for 14 years until her departure in October 2023 following a tumultuous period involving Phillip Schofield’s exit and a reported kidnap threat against her. Since then, she has made a calculated return to television, fronting You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern and appearing at the 2024 National Television Awards alongside former This Morning colleagues, including Hammond. Her casting for For The Love of Dogs, announced in early May 2025, marks a significant comeback, positioning her as a safe yet exciting choice for ITV. Unlike Hammond, Willoughby is a known dog lover, often sharing photos of her golden retriever, Bailey, on social media. Fans on X have celebrated her as a “natural fit,” with one user writing, “Holly’s warmth and love for dogs will bring back the magic Paul had.”
Willoughby’s personal connection to animals is a key factor in her favor. Her Instagram posts frequently feature Bailey, and she has spoken about the emotional role pets play in her family life with husband Dan Baldwin and their three children. This authenticity could help her avoid the pitfalls Hammond faced, though she’ll still need to navigate comparisons to O’Grady, whose larger-than-life presence defined the show. Willoughby’s polished presenting style, honed over years on This Morning and Dancing on Ice, is expected to bring a fresh energy to Battersea, with ITV reportedly planning a “revamped” series to debut in late 2025. Sources suggest the new season will focus more on the dogs’ backstories and include segments on pet care, aligning with Willoughby’s family-friendly brand.
The transition hasn’t been without controversy. Some fans have expressed sympathy for Hammond, arguing she was unfairly targeted due to O’Grady’s irreplaceable legacy. A post on X read, “Alison got so much hate for trying her best—it’s not her fault she was chosen.” Others question whether Willoughby, whose career has leaned more toward glamour than gritty animal welfare, can capture the show’s heart. Her lack of public comment on the role—unlike Hammond’s vocal defense of her stint—has left some wondering how she’ll handle the pressure. Additionally, the timing of the announcement, coinciding with Hammond’s absence from This Morning for three weeks in April 2025, has fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions, though no evidence suggests a rift between the two presenters. Their warm interaction at the 2024 NTAs, where they shared a laugh, points to a professional respect.
The broader context of this casting change reflects the challenges of replacing a beloved host. For The Love of Dogs thrives on emotional authenticity, and O’Grady’s deep connection to Battersea—he was an ambassador for the charity—set a high bar. Hammond’s struggle to connect with dogs on camera, compounded by her fear, highlighted the importance of casting someone with genuine affinity for animals. Willoughby’s pet ownership and relatable persona could bridge that gap, but she’ll need to prove she can embody the show’s mix of humor, heart, and advocacy. The UK’s love for pets, with over 12 million dogs owned nationwide, ensures the show’s relevance, but its success hinges on a host who can inspire adoptions and keep viewers engaged.
As For The Love of Dogs prepares for its next chapter, the spotlight is on Willoughby to deliver. Fans are eager to see her interact with Battersea’s residents, from playful puppies to senior dogs needing extra care. Meanwhile, Hammond’s exit marks a bittersweet end to a challenging chapter, with her supporters hoping she’ll thrive in her other ventures, like Bake Off and her BBC projects. For now, the handover from Hammond to Willoughby is a testament to the enduring appeal of For The Love of Dogs—and the power of a furry friend to capture the nation’s heart.
