Alison Hammond in final talks to succeed Paul O’Grady as the host of hit show

THIS Morning host Alison Hammond is reported to be in line to present For The Love Of Dogs on ITV.

The programme, set in Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, first aired in 2012 and was hosted by the late Paul O’Grady until his tragic death last year.

Five months on from the last episode, there has been speculation over who would present the popular show.

Names such as Stephen Mulhern, Ricky Gervais, and Amanda Holden have been thrown into the mix.

Ricky ruled himself out last year, saying: “It’s true I was asked but I said no, I’m afraid. Just too busy.”

But now, according to , Alison is the front-runner.

While her takeover is yet to be confirmed, a source said: “Paul is obviously irreplaceable but they believe that not only does Alison bring some of Paul’s trademark self-deprecating humour to proceedings, but that she can also make it her own, just as Paul did.”

At the moment Alison is busy juggling her This Morning duties alongside her new role as co-presenter on The Great British Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding.

Despite her demanding schedule, Alison is still believed to be the top candidate for the role.

The source added: “Alison would be a great signing… and as her ever-expanding portfolio of shows demonstrates, capable of putting her hand to anything.”

Alison rocketed into the public eye after appearing on the third-ever series of Big Brother 20 years ago.

The show became a launchpad for her career as she became a presenter on This Morning the same year, and started presenting This Morning on Fridays with Dermot O’Leary in 2020.

In December last year, she was honoured for her presenting skills at the 2023 Women in Film and Television Awards.

She also became the bookies’ favourite to secure a permanent role as a This Morning host after Cat Deeley reportedly turned it down.