For The Love of Dogs fans praise Alison Hammond after 'overcoming fear'

Alison Hammond faced her fears to film For The Love of Dogs (Image: ITV)

Alison Hammond was inundated with praise for "overcoming" her nerves around canines after she presented tonight's episode of For The Love Of Dogs - a hosting gig she took over from the late Paul O'Grady. Fans had initially slammed the decision to place her on the ITV show, arguing that she had never owned a dog and didn't seem to strike up a rapport with them on-screen.

However, according to the star's own autobiography, she once witnessed a "savage" dog attack as a child which left a man pouring with blood - and she was reeling. In the 2021 book You’ve Got To Laugh, she exclaimed of the incident, which took place in her home city of Birmingham: "I saw the whole thing happen: the dog took a massive chunk out of his leg and blood poured everywhere.

"I had to help him hobble back to his mum, screaming in pain, and for weeks afterwards the kids on our street never stopped talking about savage dogs and gushing wounds." Now fans have come forward to shower Alison with praise for overcoming a difficult experience and not allowing it to overshadow her feelings for cute canines now.

Taking to Twitter, also known as X, after tonight's episode, one fan wrote: "Alison has done a great job and if she was scared of dogs before then good on her for facing her fears and overcoming it! #fortheloveofdogs." Another fan noticed that she appeared slightly more comfortable around puppies and smaller dogs than larger ones - and that might be because the attack she witnessed was by a large-sized dog.

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The praise came pouring in as fans overwhelmed by the "cuteness overload" seemed to soften towards Alison and forget the frosty reception she'd had earlier. "I wasn’t sure about @AlisonHammond taking over from the lovely Paul O’Grady," one fan admitted.

READ MORE: Alison Hammond's staggering net worth unveiled as she lands new ITV gig [NET WORTH]

Alison Hammond cuddling a dog alongside This Morning co-host Dermot O'Leary (Image: ITV)

However, she then acknowledged: "She’s really making the effort to lower her voice around the animals and she seems like she really cares which is lovely to see! #fortheloveofdogs #alisonhammond."

A second viewer concurred: "I'm sticking with #ForTheLoveOfDogs #AlisonHammond is kinda growing on me, she's not loud on this!! Nothing more cute than puppies."

"Alison is smashing for the love of dogs. She’s not trying to be PoG but adding her own humour. Well done!" a third agreed.

Someone else chimed in: "I am absolutely adoring @AlisonHammond presenting this show - her bond with the dogs is just amazing. Paul would be very proud of you!"

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Alison Hammond divided opinion after taking over from national treasure Paul O'Grady (Image: ITV) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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One viewer even admitted they'd been avoiding watching the new series as they "couldn't bring themselves" to revisit the hugely popular shock minus much-loved Paul.

Yet after making the effort, the viewer was converted, telling Alison to ignore any hateful opinions she received from trolls.

The tone on Twitter is markedly different from when the This Morning star debuted earlier in the month, and sparked reports of ailing viewing figures.

Addressing the backlash at that time, she insisted on social media that she'd "always wanted" a dog - and it could be that immersing herself in the canine world for ITV is helping her overcome her fears.

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