ALISON Hammond has made a cryptic hint that she is poised to quit For The Love Of Dogs amid consistent backlash.
The This Morning host has faced heavy criticism since taking over as the show’s host on ITV following the passing of Paul O’Grady.
She has been forced to answer back at her critics who have argued that she isn’t the right fit for the job.
Amid the backlash, the popular TV star has now dropped a major hint that she is preparing to walk away from the show as a result of her embattled stint.
Taking to Instagram to celebrate the final episode of her first-run on the programme, she made a very telling comment which hinted at her having no future on the programme.
Re-sharing the promo poster for the show, Alison wrote: “Final episode of For The Love Of Dogs.”
She then cryptically added: “I loved every minute of it.”
Having referred to the role in past tense, Alison failed to give any form of hope to viewers that she would be returning to the programme.
Her telling comments come after sources claimed that ITV were “very disappointed” with how Alison had performed on the show and were examining a future for the programme without her in it.
A source told the Mirror earlier this month: “Unfortunately the casting has not worked out how the team behind the show hoped – and it has turned out to be a bit of a misfit.
“ITV are very disappointed because it’s such a well-loved programme, and of course, Alison is an ITV favourite too.
“But unfortunately sometimes in spite of everyone’s best efforts, things just don’t work out.
“Conversations are now ongoing about her future on the show within ITV and that has been communicated to Battersea.”
During the latest episode, ITV viewers called out the host for appearing nervous and not “relaxed” around the dogs.
Alison cut a nervous figure as she assisted in helping a dog, Giselle, as it underwent physiotherapy.
The dog had been having problems with its legs after being discovered abandoned and Alison was called on by Battersea to see if she could help out in its recovery.
She shunted around Giselle and kept her distance as she coyly muttered “good girl”.
Taking aim at the star, one said: “It’s so painfully obvious that Alison hasn’t had much to do with animals full stop, not just dogs. #ForTheLoveOfDogs.”
Another agreed, writing: “I’ve really tried but she doesn’t seem at all relaxed around the dogs and is never covered in fur and rarely sits on the floor and have her face licked like #PaulOGrady would.. #FLOD”
Despite the comments, Alison has continued to hit back at those who have questioned her appointment on the show.
She recently ‘liked’ posts online defending her.
One had taken to Twitter to write: “Well I think Alison is doing a great job at the filling big boots left by Paul. There’s never going to be a host ‘everyone’ agrees on. Just like any long running show when the host changes.”
As another said: “@AlisonHammond you are fabulous, warm and funny on For the Love of Dogs. Paul will be cheering you from the clouds. Don’t let the miserable mogs get you down.”
Alison, clearly appreciative of their words, took to the heart icon on X to ‘like’ their messages – along with a slew of others.
