Alison Hammond teases Nigella Lawson on The Great British Bake Off – and her new TV gig where she “cries most episodes”

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Alison Hammond is a hugely popular TV personality known for her infectious laugh and vibrant energy. She’s become a familiar face on shows like The Great British Bake Off and For the Love of Dogs, and is now hosting a new singing competition called Your Song on Channel 4 – the same team brought us the show The Piano.

Hammond, now 51, started her career as a child actor at just six years old. While it took a long time for her talent to be fully appreciated, she isn’t discouraged. “I’ve worked incredibly hard my whole life,” she says, “and it’s normal to see the rewards of that work after many years – that’s just how most careers progress.”

If you’re not familiar with her background, Alison Hammond first became well-known as a contestant on the reality show Big Brother in 2002, appearing alongside the late Jade Goody. Her quick wit and charming personality impressed producers at the daytime show This Morning, who hired her as a reporter. She quickly became known for interviewing famous celebrities like Beyoncé and Hugh Jackman.

For a long time, her work was on and off, and at one point, she even took a job at a hair salon to make ends meet. She didn’t get a regular hosting position on This Morning until 2021, where she began presenting the Friday shows with Dermot O’Leary. Then, in 2023, she joined The Great British Bake Off.

Things have improved gradually, and that’s exactly how I wanted it to happen. My son, Aidan, who is 21, has seen me through tough times, and it’s made him a kind, appreciative, and well-adjusted person. I’m a hard worker – if money’s tight, I’ll take any job, even at a place like Tesco. At heart, I just really enjoy being around people and get along with everyone.

Honestly, I don’t think Angela Scanlon will be fading into obscurity anytime soon. She’s become a real fixture on television, and the bookies actually have her as the frontrunner to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing! I braced myself for the usual vague celebrity response when I asked if she’d been contacted about the job, but she actually said she had! You could see the shock on my face, and she just laughed, saying, “You didn’t expect that answer, did you? I can’t lie, I’m incapable.” It was brilliantly refreshing.

She’s unsure if she’ll accept the offer. While flattered to be considered, she feels it’s unrealistic given her current workload and commitments. She compares it to her experience with ‘Traitors,’ explaining that everything is already scheduled. She believes whoever takes the opportunity will have a fantastic experience and career boost, but she’s content with her existing projects and doesn’t want to give anything up to participate.

Everyone’s wondering if Prue Leith is really leaving Bake Off, but honestly, it’s no surprise that Sandi Hammond wants to stay – she loves being on the show with Noel Fielding! And with Nigella Lawson joining as a judge next series, who wouldn’t want to stick around? I’m dying to know if Sandi’s excited to meet her! She actually shrieked, ‘Oh, my God, Nigel!’ when I mentioned Nigella, and then quickly added, ‘Please don’t tell her I’ve been calling her Nigel for some reason!’ It’s so funny and sweet!

We’re all going to miss Prue, but we’re really excited to have Nigella join the show. Noel and I are going to visit her house – Paul’s already been! I’m definitely curious and will be having a good look around, though I’m planning to be a little less cheeky this year and let Nigella handle the playful banter.

In addition to her regular TV work, Amanda Hammond is hosting a new show called Your Song. The series features singers from around the country performing on a mobile stage and explaining the personal stories connected to their songs. Sam Ryder and Paloma Faith are the judges.

Hammond is embracing this new chapter in her career, which allows her to show a more vulnerable side. She explains that her show, “Your Song,” brings out her emotions, often leading to tears, especially when hearing deeply personal stories about how music has helped people through tough times like bullying or illness. While she’s known for her boisterous laugh, she emphasizes that it’s just one part of who she is, and not an act. She often declines requests to provide recordings of her laugh, even for commercials, unless she genuinely finds something funny. She sees it as a natural expression, like breathing, rather than a performance.

Hammond is a great fit for discussing music; she connects well with people and genuinely cares about songs. When asked about a tune that really moves her, she mentioned ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, explaining it brings back fond memories of her mother, Maria, who passed away in 2020.

Hammond recalls his mother being completely captivated by a particular song, adding that hearing it still brings him to tears since her passing. She was a big fan of shows like The Great British Bake Off and For the Love of Dogs, and he believes she would have enjoyed Your Song as well. He emphasizes that his entire career is a tribute to his mother, as she was the one who introduced him to the entertainment industry.

Maria was a dedicated single mother who worked multiple jobs, including as a travel agent and caregiver. She loved appearing as an extra in movies and TV shows. When she got a small role in a TV film called Artemis 81, which starred Sting, she convinced the filmmakers to also cast her six-year-old daughter. Later, she encouraged a young Hammond to try out for the Central Television Workshop – an organization that helped launch the career of actress Samantha Morton.

Hammond acted in television shows like Boone and Crossroads for a few years. When asked if she misses acting, she shared a recent conversation with her son. “He asked me that the other day,” she said. “I enjoyed playing different characters, but I really prefer getting paid to just be myself. It’s wonderful when people appreciate you for who you are!”

Hammond admits her schedule is incredibly packed, so she only reviews it one week at a time to avoid feeling stressed. To manage her workload, she’s made her health and fitness a priority, and has even lost weight as a result.

She’s been working with a personal trainer for five years, even when she wasn’t in her best shape. She used to have a really unhealthy relationship with food, particularly sweets like toffees, but now she limits herself to just a few each day. She explains that as you get older, you realize the importance of self-care. To help her relax and improve her sleep, she uses a speaker under her pillow to play calming music and also tracks her sleep patterns.

Even after a long day of filming, Hammond remains remarkably energetic and doesn’t show any signs of fatigue. She explains that she always gives 100% when the camera is rolling, simply because she enjoys performing. However, she insists this isn’t an act – she naturally has a lot of energy. Hammond downplays the difficulty of her job, saying it mostly involves being herself on television, which she considers more of a privilege than work. She feels lucky to have a job that feels so effortless.

Your Song begins on Sunday, 12 April at 9pm on Channel 4.

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Authors

Emma Cox

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2026-04-06 19:49