Alison Hammond gets a mixed response after making her For The Love Of Dogs ... trends now

Alison Hammond's debut as host of ITV show For The Love Of Dogs was slammed by fans, as they claimed she was 'no Paul O'Grady'.

Paul became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 following the success of the award-winning programme, which he hosted for 11 series up until shortly before his death last year.

It was announced in January that the This Morning presenter, 49, would be taking over when the series - which shines a light on the animals in need of a family at Battersea Dogs and Cats home - returned, to mixed reaction from viewers.

Her debut show was met with some praise, with some fans commending Alison for having 'the touch' and saying Paul's show was in 'safe hands'.

But many others pointed out her lack of a rapport with the pups and slammed the host as 'totally the wrong choice' to fill the late comedian's shoes, dubbing her 'dull as dish water'.

Alison Hammond's debut as host of ITV show For The Love Of Dogs on Tuesday was slammed by fans, as they claimed she was 'no Paul O'Grady'

Paul became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012 following the success of the award-winning programme, which he hosted for 11 series up until shortly before his death last year

For the first episode, Alison met a tiny puppy called Oscar who was found in a bin, working dog called Bobby who was sent to be a sniffer dog and a spaniel called Nellie who needed an operation.

Taking to X, critics of Alison's hosting skills wrote: 'Alison Hammond on "For the Love of Dogs" is as Dull as Dishwater. Paul O’Grady she is not,';

'How can ITV justify replacing the wonderful Paul O’Grady with the loud mouthed Alison Hammond on for the love of dogs how does this woman keep getting top jobs on TV she is rubbish #PaulOGrady #FortheLoveofDogs,';

'I'm shocked just got home to see alison hammond as a replacement for Paul O.grady......NO WAY!! whoever made this choice needs to see a shrink....';'

'Sorry Alison Hammond but your not Paul O'Grady,'; 'A few minutes in and it’s immediately obvious she isn’t right for this show. Totally wrong choice,';

'Another great show ruined by ITV that I certainly will not be watching …. What an insult to the wonderful man Mr Paul O’Grady who LOVED all animals #fortheloveofdogs now should be called #fortheloveofGod,';

'Alison doesn’t seem very natural with the dogs. Really should have had a presenter with a real passion for them.'

However many fans leapt to Alison's defence, insisting she was 'smashing it'.

They said: '@AlisonHammond great job on ‘for the love of dogs’ and big shoes to fill.';