Alison Hammond is reportedly set to return as host for a fan-favourite TV series, despite rumours she was going to be replaced.

The ITV star, 49, took over hosting duties on For The Love Of Dogs from the late Paul O’Grady earlier this year, who tragically passed away aged 67 in March 2023.

However, the overall reception was not initially overly positive with some viewers being critical of Alison and suggesting the star lacks ’empathy’ for the pooches featured.

But, despite rumours floating around that her role could be uncertain with ITV bosses questioning the future of the show, The Sun has now confirmed that she will be returning for a new series in the spring.

A TV insider told the publication: ‘Alison wasn’t an obvious choice to take over from Paul, who was a devout dog lover.

‘She wasn’t exactly known for her adoration of canines, unlike lots of other pooch-owning celebrities who were in the frame at one stage.’

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Alison Hammond is reportedly set to return as host for a fan-favourite TV series, despite rumours she was going to be replaced

The ITV star, 49, took over hosting duties on For The Love Of Dogs from the late Paul O’Grady earlier this year, who tragically passed away aged 67 in March 2023

They added: ‘But the feeling is that she has bedded into the role and another series was always on the horizon.’

MailOnline has contacted a representative of Alison and ITV for comment.

The heart-warming show began in 2012 as fanatical dog lover Paul visited Battersea and met with the pooches desperate to be rehomed.

The show went on to become a huge ratings hit, winning the National Television Award for Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme in 2019 and 2023.

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

Receiving a torrent of abuse online, long-time viewers of the show inevitably compared her to Paul, remarking she has no pets of her own and therefore can’t fully put her ‘heart’ into the stories of the dogs featured.

However, Alison shared her own side of the story as she explained it would be unfair for her to have a dog due to her hectic schedule in television.

Speaking on Rob Beckett and Josh Widdecombe’s podcast Parenting Hell, Alison explained: ‘It’s so weird because everyone is like “She hasn’t got a dog” but I can’t have a dog.

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The ITV star, 49, took over hosting duties on For The Love Of Dogs from the late Paul O’Grady earlier this year, who tragically passed away aged 67 in March 2023

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However, the overall reception was not initially overly positive with some viewers being critical of Alison and suggesting the star lacks ’empathy’ for the pooches featured

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But, a TV source said: ‘The feeling is that she has bedded into the role and another series was always on the horizon’

Alison Hammond wins over fans as host of For The Love Of Dogs

‘I wouldn’t be around it would be unfair. I do love dogs and that’s the reason I don’t have a dog.’

‘Discussing how it felt taking Paul’s place she added: ‘At first I was nervous about doing it because how do you ever bring it back?’

‘Paul O’Grady was so incredible with dogs and he has done so much with dogs and obviously no one can replace Paul but I was thinking more of the dogs and the charity.

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

It comes just after Alison looked incredible as she confessed she will ‘always be enough’ following rumours that she’s secretly split from toyboy boyfriend David. 

The ITV star shared comparison snaps of herself with and without makeup and urged her fans to love themselves for who they are.

She looked incredible as she shared a candid snap of her posing in the gym with no makeup on Friday.

Alongside it, Alison also posted a snap of her wearing a full face of professionally created glam makeup.

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It comes just after Alison looked incredible as she confessed she will ‘always be enough’ following rumours that she’s secretly split from toyboy boyfriend David

The ITV star shared a sweet makeup comparison picture and urged her fans to love themselves for who they are in an Instagram post on Friday

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Alison has been in a relationship with 27-year-old toyboy masseuse David Putman since December 2023

Alison penned alongside her snap: ‘Without or with makeup, I’ll always be enough! Embrace both looks and keep real.

‘Your beauty is You and the fact there ain’t no one like you in the whole wide world!’

Alison has been in a relationship with 27-year-old toyboy masseuse David Putman since December 2023.

Despite dismissing their 22-year age gap and insisting David is ‘mature and sensible’ in an interview in December, the pair have recently spent time apart

Alison’s boyfriend was seen in an Instagram snap enjoying a sun-soaked holiday as he posed on the beach wearing an open colourful shirt.

While David rocked a beige sunhat and sunglasses as he walked along the beach, Alison stayed in the UK doing the Peter Pan pantomime in Birmingham.