Alison shares sweet message from Paul O'Grady's pal after her new TV role

02 February 2024 , 12:26

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Alison shares sweet message from Paul O'Grady's pal after her new TV role

Alison Hammond has revealed the emotional message she received after landing a presenting gig on award-winning ITV series For The Love of Dogs.

This Morning star Alison, 48, will be heading to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to help the animals in their care look for a new place to live, following the sad passing of much-loved presenter Paul O’Grady last spring.

Talking about the new role on Friday's This Morning, Alison was congratulated by co-host Dermot O'Leary, who suggested she needed to get a dog now. Alison said: "Well, you know what, it's a massive responsibility and that's why I want to do the show. I want to find out about dogs, I've always wanted a dog, you know that! I've always wanted a dog but you have to take it very seriously."

Alison then spoke about a sweet message she received from Julian Clary, she said: "Yes, so he text me yesterday and just said, well, firstly he told me he was in the Maldives, I was a little bit jealous! He just said: 'So happy that you've got the job, Paul actually thought a lot of you Alison. He thought very highly of you, he would be so happy as am I.'

Alison Hammond has revealed the emotional message she received after landing award-winning ITV series, For The Love of Dogs (ITV)

"It really got me [the message], I'm just so happy. I just want to make him proud in his legacy at Battersea, carry on that work as the charity does so much good work." With more abandoned and stray dogs in need of care than ever, the upcoming six-part series will tell the stories of some of the latest arrivals at Battersea, as Alison rolls up her sleeves and helps Battersea’s expert staff and volunteers take care of the animals and get them ready for their potential new owners.

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Of her new role, Alison said: "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. I can’t 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."

Olivia Wheeler