{"id":44812,"date":"2024-01-30T13:47:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T12:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1982698"},"modified":"2024-01-30T17:57:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T16:57:57","slug":"alison-hammond-replaces-late-paul-ogrady-as-for-the-love-of-dogs-host","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/alison-hammond-replaces-late-paul-ogrady-as-for-the-love-of-dogs-host\/","title":{"rendered":"Alison Hammond replaces late Paul O\u2019Grady as For the Love of Dogs host"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bake Off presenter said she could “never replace” the late comic and dog lover. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 30 January 2024 at 12:47 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Alison Hammond has been named as the new presenter of ITV\u2019s popular factual series For the Love of Dogs, which was previously fronted by the late Paul O\u2019Grady.<\/p>\n

The beloved comedian debuted the show in September 2012 and presented it for more than a decade, telling the stories of the adorable canine residents of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as they sought loving owners.<\/p>\n

The series became a firm favourite on the schedules, winning multiple times at the National Television Awards<\/a> and even scoring a BAFTA nomination for Best Features Programme across an emotional 11-season run.<\/p>\n

When O\u2019Grady sadly passed away<\/a> in March 2023, aged 67, his final episodes were aired posthumously and the show was subsequently placed on hiatus to allow time for the crew and viewers to grieve.<\/p>\n

However, the return of For the Love of Dogs has now been confirmed, with This Morning and Great British Bake-Off<\/a> host Alison Hammond expressing her excitement to continue spotlighting the hard work of Battersea\u2019s animal carers.<\/p>\n

She said in a statement: \u201cI am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to share the joy of their searches for new loving forever homes and hopefully make lots of furry friends of my own along the way!\u201d<\/p>

Satmohan Panesar, Commissioning Editor for ITV, said: \u201cWe are thrilled to be able to confirm that the series will return in the spring and that the dogs have a brand-new champion in Alison Hammond.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Paul O\u2019Grady always said himself, the stars of the show were the dogs themselves, but the impact that he had and the legacy he leaves will never be forgotten by any of us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t wait to welcome back the series with Alison; there will be all the fun and warmth that our viewers have come to expect whilst continuing to showcase the wonderful and important work done by the incredible team at Battersea.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the Love of Dogs was a true passion project for O\u2019Grady, who personally adopted several dogs over the course of its run.<\/p>\n

\"Paul