Battersea Dogs Home pips Top Gear to major TV award (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Battersea Dogs Home pips Top Gear to major TV award

12:00pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

A television show about Battersea Dogs and Cats Home starring Paul O'Grady has scooped the Best Factual Entertainment gong at last night's National Television Awards.

The ITV series For The Love of Dogs captured the hearts of the nation over Christmas with its emotional tales of dogs searching for a second chance in life.

Thanks to a massive UK response in a public vote, for one of the most important nights in recognition of British television, the popular Battersea programme beat off the likes of Top Gear, The Apprentice and The Great British Bake Off.

Accepting the award at London's O2 Arena, Mr O’Grady said: "I would really like to thank everyone who watched the show and voted for it and of course the staff and volunteers at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - and let's not forget all those four-legged dogs, as well as the three-legged ones."

The seven-part series broadcast last autumn, with a prime time Christmas Day Special added into the competitive festive schedules, took millions of viewers on a journey behind the scenes at Battersea.

Each week the TV funnyman followed the joyous, challenging and sometimes heart-breaking stories of some of the 6,000 dogs who arrive at the world-famous animal rescue centre each year.

Claire Horton, Battersea's chief executive, said: "Everyone at Battersea is ecstatic that Paul’s series has won such a prestigious award and I’d like to thank everyone who voted.

"We’ve always known Battersea holds a special place in people’s hearts and this award reinforces the love people have for us and most importantly the animals we care so much for.

"Paul is now a Battersea Ambassador and his warmth, humour and support made millions of TV viewers feel part of each dog’s story."