Julian Clary sent Alison Hammond a kind note after she replaced the late Paul O’Grady on For The Love of Dogs.
While hosting This Morning, Alison, 48, said that Julian has been supportive of the revelation, which has sparked some criticism.
She told co-host Dermot O’Leary that the 64-year-old comedian messaged to say: ‘Paul actually thought a lot of you. He would be so happy you got the job, as am I.’
The Great British Bake Off presenter has yet to buy a dog owing to the responsibilities required, and she does not believe it is compatible with her working single parent lifestyle.
‘It’s a massive responsibility. I’ve always wanted a dog but you have to take it seriously,’ she explained.
Alison said that she wanted to take on the presenting job to make Paul, who died of cardiac arrhythmia in 2013, ‘proud’.
O’Grady hosted the ITV show headquartered at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for 11 seasons commencing in 2012.
The new six-part series will explore the story of Battersea’s most recent arrivals, with Alison assisting staff and volunteers in caring for the animals and preparing them for rehoming.
‘I 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,’ stated Alice in the initial announcement.
Later this morning, dogs were brought into the studio, giving us a sneak peek of Alison with her four-legged companions.
Not everyone praised the way she behaved with the pets.
#Thismorning Having worked as a volunteer at a local rescue and some temporary fostering Alison isn't the person to front FTLOD
If you cant be confident around dogs then you'll fail and gaining their trust.— Blossom (@Dc7073Bloss) February 2, 2024
Laughing my ass off at #ThisMorning trying so hard to make #AlisonHammond seem like a dog person. She ain't. We all know it. And I won't be watching For The Love Of Dogs with her fronting it. @ITV
— Terminally Underwhelmed (@BusyBuzzyBoo) February 2, 2024
‘Laughing my ass off at #ThisMorning trying so hard to make #AlisonHammond seem like a dog person. She ain’t. We all know it. And I won’t be watching For The Love Of Dogs with her fronting it,’ wrote BusyBuzzyBoo.
Account Blossom added: ‘Having worked as a volunteer at a local rescue and some temporary fostering Alison isn’t the person to front FTLOD.
‘If you can’t be confident around dogs then you’ll fail at gaining their trust.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.