ITV For the Love of Dogs fans fume over Alison Hammond's 'bad habit' as ratings plummet

For the Love of Dogs fans have highlighted presenter Alison Hammond's "bad habits", and it seems to be unsettling viewers.

The ITV hit show returned to telly on April 23 night with new presenter Hammond steering the ship, as she fills the void left by the late Paul O'Grady whose passing was shockingly revealed by his husband.

When the canine-centred show sprung back last week, reception for Alison was tepid at best as she revisited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Yet, undeterred, the This Morning host reappeared in the latest episode ready to introduce a fresh set of furry friends in need of a forever home, the Mirror reports.

Audiences watched on as Alison acquainted herself with a lurcher who had been discovered abandoned in a cemetery, requiring urgent surgery to address multiple injuries, and a drama-drenched French bulldog so overwhelmed by stress he struggled to breathe.

The presenter also helped groom a Bichon Frise whose knotted coat was crying out for care.

However, veering away from the fluffy inhabitants, fans were increasingly irked with Alison's persistent use of her pet phrase "babs".

One disgruntled viewer lamented: "Cut out the babs Alison, I hate it when anyone says that."

Another added: "If she says Babs again, I'm going to swear, I warn you now! "

The Brummie lass, famed for her heartwarming charm and friendly demeanour, first captured the nation's attention on Big Brother in 2002.

Following her stint on the reality show, she quickly secured a coveted spot on This Morning, winning over viewers with her down-to-earth style.

Yet, despite her popularity, recent figures have shown a slump in the first episode of the new season since Alison took over hosting duties.

The Sun reports that the debut of the new series attracted an average audience of 1.8 million, peaking at 2 million, a stark contrast to the numbers achieved during Paul O'Grady's tenure, which often saw ratings nearly double those figures.

Alison has faced a barrage of criticism since stepping into the role, but she's tackled the backlash head-on.

In a candid chat with The Sun's TV Mag, she said: "I was actually surprised with how much I got for doing the show. I could understand in the sense that Paul was so loved, and people were saying: 'How can she do Love Of Dogs when she doesn't have a dog?

"How does she love dogs when she doesn't have a dog? ' It's like saying: 'How can you love children when you haven't got kids?"

She dismissed these critiques as "flawed" and had a straightforward message for detractors: "If you don't want to help Battersea, don't watch it," she declared.

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