ALISON Hammond has managed to make a big name for herself in the world of television.
After starting out as a Big Brother housemate, she has gone on to carve out an incredible career for herself, which includes being a host on Bake Off.
Alison Hammond was born on February 5, 1975, in Birmingham to Jamaican parents.
She is best known for her bubbly personality, rising to fame with her charm and ease in front of the camera.
The future TV star started out working as a holiday rep and entertainer in Tunisia and had previously been a child actress.
Alison is now best known for hosting This Morning on a Friday along with Dermot O’Leary
Becoming a star
Alison rocketed into the public eye after appearing on the third series of Big Brother “Big Brother turned my life upside down,” the star told Birmingham Living Magazine.
Alison appeared on season 3 which aired on Channel 4 in 2002.
She appeared on the same series of the show as the late Jade Goody, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, and the show’s eventual winner, broadcaster Kate Lawler.
Alison described herself in her audition video as being “addicted to Vaseline”, and a “huge Harry Potter fan”.
However, she didn’t last long on Big Brother – she was the second person to be evicted and was out of the house by day 15.
But her short but sweet time on the reality show was long enough to capture the eye of the nation, and become a BB legend.
Speaking about why she signed up to the OG of all reality shows, Alison told ITV’s Lorraine: “Someone told me, ‘You should go into Big Brother’.
“At the time, I was £4,000 in debt. I went into an internet café to apply online.”
This ultimately turned out to be the best decision of her life, and Big Brother was a launchpad for her career.
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This Morning fame
Alison joined the ITV show This Morning in 2003. She began as their showbiz reporter, interviewing numerous celebrities.
The roving entertainment reporter is best known for causing chaos with her bonkers ad-libbing and lack of rule playing.
Her celebrity interviews and show appearances have even gone viral with various pranks and hysterical moments.
In 2020, it was announced she would take over from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford presenting the Friday morning slot with Dermot O’Leary.
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Impressive TV career
Alison entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2010, and became the fourth contestant to leave the show.
She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, and was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec.
Not shy of performing, she has also taken to the stage for pantos including Snow White, Jack And The Beanstalk, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin.
Alison also took part in Sugar Free Farm, which saw seven celebs ditch the sweet stuff and take to the fields to farm their own healthy food – and the entire process reduced Alison to tears.
The TV star also made her Hollywood debut in 2018, in the animated film, Hotel Transylvania 3.
She has appeared on the reality show Celebs Go Dating as well as the celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off in 2020.
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In 2021, she starred as a judge on the BBC competition I Can See Your Voice, and was also a guest on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
As the queen of reality TV, you may also have seen her on Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes, Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, Celebrity Coach Trip, and Celebrity MasterChef.
She was the referee on The Time It Takes as well as panel show Celebrity Juice and Celebrity Haunted Hotel Live.
Alison also took part in ITV’s DNA Journey, alongside her pal Kate Garraway.
Landing the Bake Off job
Alison landed the job of The Great British Bake Off co-host in 2023.
She joined forces with comedian Noel Fielding and replaced Matt Lucas who said he was stepping down from the role due to clashing with other projects.
After joining the Bake Off team, Alison said: “It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off! Let’s have it”
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New romance
Alison was engaged to cab driver Noureddine Boufaied in the early noughties. The couple have one son, Aiden, together but they split around 2014.
She then got engaged to security guard Jamie Savage after meeting him online.
However, she announced their separation in 2017, and said: “We split up. It’s the worst news ever.
“I don’t think I want anyone else now.”
Alison was briefly involved with audio technician Ben Kusi, who she met on Celebs Go Dating in 2020.
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In December 2023, Alison went public with her relationship with David Putman, although it’s understood they have been together longer.
Speaking to The Sun about her romance with David, she told us: “A year and a half I’ve been with him, and no one knew!
“He loves me to bits.
“He absolutely worships me and massages my feet every single day. What more do you want?!”
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Weight loss journey
Alison had gastric band surgery in 2007 but got it removed three years later.
She previously said she didn’t think it was working “very well”, and it started having adverse effects on her body.
The star explained: “I just wasn’t ready because I had to eat salad. “I’d literally be feeling sick and I thought, ‘This isn’t normal. I don’t want to do this anymore’.
“So after about three years I asked the surgeon to take it out. I was over the moon when I got rid of it.”
After she had the operation to have it removed, Alison confessed that she did put some weight back on but was learning to accept it.
In 2022, Alison revealed she had made some changes to her life after hitting the scales at over 20 stone at her heaviest.
She said at the time: “I’ve never had health issues until then. It scared me because my mum had diabetes and I want to be there for my son.
“I decided to do something about it. I go for walks and I cut out sugar. I feel a lot better.”