Alison Hammond
{{Short description|English television presenter (born 1975)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Alison Hammond 2022.jpg
| caption = Hammond in 2022
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1975|2|5}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, West Midlands, England
| employer = ITV
| occupation = {{Hlist|Television presenter|actress}}
| years_active = 1988–present
| partner = Noureddine Boufaied
(2005–2014)
| children = 1
| education = Cardinal Wiseman School
| television = {{Plainlist|
- Big Brother
- This Morning
- I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
- Celebrity MasterChef
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Sugar Free Farm
- Celebs Go Dating
- I Can See Your Voice
- The Great British Bake Off
- For the Love of Dogs
}}
}}
Alison Hammond (born 5 February 1975) is a British television presenter and actress. She competed in the third series of the reality show Big Brother in 2002, in which she was the second housemate to be evicted.{{cite news |title=Alison evicted from Big Brother|work=BBC News|date=8 June 2002 |access-date=13 December 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2031908.stm}} She has since become a presenter and reporter on ITV's This Morning (2002–present) and a co-presenter on the Channel 4 reality baking competition The Great British Bake Off (2023–present). In January 2024, it was announced that Hammond would take over For the Love of Dogs from Paul O'Grady, following his death in March 2023.
Hammond has also appeared on reality shows such as I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2010), Celebrity Coach Trip (2012), Strictly Come Dancing (2014), Celebrity Masterchef (2014), and I Can See Your Voice (2021–2022). As an actress, Hammond has appeared in Palace Hill (1988–1990), Doctors (2002), and The Dumping Ground (2016).
Early and personal life
Hammond was born on 5 February 1975 to Jamaican parents and was raised in the north Birmingham district of Kingstanding alongside her two siblings.{{cite web |last1=Kheraj |first1=Alim |title=This Morning's Alison Hammond: 'I had to educate myself on black history' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/sep/28/this-mornings-alison-hammond-i-had-to-educate-myself-on-black-history |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 September 2020 |date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Padin |first=Malvika |date=1 February 2022 |title=This Morning host Alison Hammond's fabulous life - her age and relationships |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-alison-hammonds-life-married-26105431 |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=mirror |language=en}} She attended Cardinal Wiseman School.{{cite web |title=Big time after Big Brother |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/features/2004/11/alison_hammond.shtml |website=BBC Birmingham |date=November 2004 |access-date=28 September 2020}} Her mother had several jobs concurrently, including one as a manager for Tupperware. From the age of 11, Hammond participated in drama workshops run by Central Television, but lack of funds meant she was unable to attend drama school. She later moved to Hall Green in south Birmingham.{{cite web |title=Alison Hammond |url=http://birmingham.livingmag.co.uk/alison-hammond/ |website=Birmingham.livingmag.co.uk |access-date=28 September 2020}} She was previously engaged to Noureddine Boufaied from 2005 to 2014, and together the couple have one son, born in 2005.{{Cite web |last1=Dalton |first1=Nia |last2=Otter |first2=Saffron |date=2024-04-16 |title=Alison Hammond's brutal 7-word explanation for breaking off two engagements |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/alison-hammonds-love-life-brutal-32600486 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=The Mirror |language=en}} Hammond has been dating David Putman since late 2023.{{cite web |last1=Hallam |first1=Katy |title=Alison Hammond in public display of affection with toyboy boyfriend after 'split' fears |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/alison-hammond-public-display-affection-30808661 |website=Birmingham Live |date=17 January 2025 |access-date=6 March 2025}}
Career
In 2002, Hammond competed on the third series of the Channel 4 reality series Big Brother. That same year, she appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors in an acting role and also began presenting and reporting for ITV's This Morning.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Naomi |title=Alison Hammond: From Big Brother to beloved presenter |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/alison-hammond-doctors-british-birmingham-big-brother-b1068044.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Evening Standard |date=17 March 2023}} Hammond then appeared on many television programmes, including Celebrity Fit Club, Celebrities Under Pressure, and Big Star's Little Star. She has also appeared on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, performing as Nina Simone, Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, Daily Cooks Challenge, as a panellist on ITV's Loose Women, and as a presenter on the short-lived ITV Play channel. In 2004, Hammond played herself as a TV reporter in Christmas Lights opposite Robson Green. In 2008, Hammond was named as the face of online bingo site Crown Bingo and took part in live chats, voiced characters and can be heard as the bingo caller in the bingo room.{{cite web |title=Alison Hammond Joins Crown Bingo |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1385224.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929054532/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1385224.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2008 |work=PR Web |date=26 September 2008|access-date=11 February 2021}} In November 2010, Hammond became a contestant on the tenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and, on 28 November 2010, became the fourth contestant to leave the show.{{cite news|title=Alison Hammond leaves the jungle|date=29 November 2010 |agency=PA News |access-date=28 October 2022 |url-status=live|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/8707534.alison-hammond-leaves-the-jungle/ |website=Oxford Mail |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028173343/https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/8707534.alison-hammond-leaves-the-jungle/ }}
In 2014, Hammond participated in the ninth series of Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One. She also participated in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 on BBC One.{{cite web|date=19 August 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a591323/strictly-come-dancing-alison-hammond-joins-the-cast.html#~oNobbzDKPHsHhW|title=Strictly Come Dancing: Alison Hammond joins the cast|work=Digital Spy|first=Catriona|last=Wightman}} She partnered with 11th series' champion Aljaž Škorjanec. They were voted off in the seventh week of competition and finished 10th.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/11214146/alison-hammond-strictly-come-dancing-results-week-7-review.html|title=Alison Hammond voted off Strictly Come Dancing, review|author=Michael Hogan|date=9 November 2014|work=The Telegraph}} On 19 November 2015, it was announced she would compete in the annual Strictly Christmas Special.{{cite news |first=Kerry |last=Coupe |date=17 December 2015 |title=Royal Marine Cassidy Little to star in Christmas Strictly special |url=http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/royal-marine-cassidy-little-to-star-in-christmas-strictly-special-1-7073711 |publisher=Stamford Mercury |access-date=25 December 2015 |archive-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226045219/http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/royal-marine-cassidy-little-to-star-in-christmas-strictly-special-1-7073711 |url-status=dead }} Hammond made her Hollywood debut in the animated film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018).{{cite web|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BikEysPFt_p |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BikEysPFt_p/ |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration |title=Alison Hammond on Instagram: 'It's official !!! I am to voice a character in a Hollywood Blockbuster movie Hotel Transylvania 3 and I just can't wait I'm so excited to...'|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} In 2020, ITV announced a shake-up of This Morning presenters, with Hammond replacing Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on a Friday, presenting alongside Dermot O'Leary.{{Cite web |title=Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary to join This Morning presenting family |website=ITV|language=en |url=https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/alison-hammond-and-dermot-oleary-to-join-this-morning-presenting-family |date=30 November 2020|access-date=15 December 2020}} Hammond and O'Leary have since taken on the other days after the respective resignations of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in the summer and autumn of 2023 as part of a rotation of hosts.
In December 2020, Alison appeared as a celebrity guest on game show The Wheel on BBC One.{{Cite web |last1=Otter |first1=Saffron |last2=Sulway |first2=Verity |date=13 December 2020 |title=Michael McIntyre left 'horrified' after new show The Wheel ends in disaster |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/michael-mcintyre-left-horrified-after-19451123 |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}} She also played the Countess in the Sainsbury's 2022 Christmas advert.{{Cite web|url=https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2022/04-11-2022-sainsburys-reinvents-the-christmas-pudding-in-tongue-in-cheek-fairy-tale-advert/|title=Pudding it out there: Sainsbury's reinvents the Christmas pudding in tongue-in-cheek fairy tale advert|date=4 November 2022|access-date=5 November 2022|language=en}} Hammond then hosted the 76th British Academy Film Awards with Richard E. Grant.{{Cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Hollie |last2=Seale |first2=Jack |last3=Duggins |first3=Alexi |last4=Catterall |first4=Ali |last5=Wardell |first5=Simon |date=19 February 2023 |title=TV tonight: Alison Hammond and Richard E Grant host this year's Baftas |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/feb/19/tv-tonight-alison-hammond-richard-e-grant-baftas-2023 |access-date=26 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} It was announced in March 2023 that Hammond would be the new co-host of The Great British Bake Off, replacing Matt Lucas.{{cite news|title=The Great British Bake Off: Alison Hammond replaces Matt Lucas as co-host|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64986451|work=BBC News|date=17 March 2023|access-date=17 March 2023}}
From April 2024 she has presented For the Love of Dogs, following the death of original presenter Paul O'Grady.{{cite news |last1=Rodger |first1=James |title=Alison Hammond breaks silence over For the Love of Dogs boycott |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/alison-hammond-breaks-silence-over-29005683 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=16 April 2024 |language=en}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Note(s) |
| 1988–1990
|Palace Hill |Eskimo |Main role |
| 1991
|Chalkface |Alice |Episode: "Christmas Cheer" |
| 1997
|The Locksmith |WPC Leigh |Episode: "Coming Together" |
| rowspan="2" |2002
|Herself |Contestant; 11th place |
| Doctors
|Danielle |Episode: "Tears of a Clown" |
| 2002, 2004, 2006, 2019
|Herself |Herself (2 episodes), guest panellist (2002, 2004) |
| 2002–present
|Herself |Reporter and presenter (2002–2021), main presenter (2021–) |
| 2003
|Theresa Holyoake |Episodes: "A Red Light Means Stop: Part 1" and "A Red Light Means Stop Part: 2" |
| rowspan="3" |2004
|Herself |Contestant |
| Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes
|Herself |Performed as Nina Simone |
| Christmas Lights
|Herself | |
| 2006–2007
|Herself |This Morning Puzzlebook Quiz Show |
| 2010
|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! |Herself |Contestant; 10th place |
| 2012
|Herself |Contestant |
| 2012–2014
|Big Brother's Bit On The Side |Herself |4 episodes |
| 2013
|Herself |1 episode |
| rowspan="2" |2014
|Herself |Contestant |
| Strictly Come Dancing
|Herself |Contestant; 10th place |
| 2016
|Rowena Spike |Episodes: "Lost and Found" and "Bear-Faced Liar" |
| rowspan="2" |2017
|Herself |Participant |
| Let's Sing and Dance
|Herself |Participant |
| rowspan="3" |2018
|The Time It Takes |Herself | Co-host |
| Celebrity Haunted Mansion
|Herself |Participant |
| Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
| Frankenginger (voice) | Movie |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|Herself |Series 8 |
| The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off
|Herself |Series 3 |
| rowspan="2" |2021
|Judge | |
| Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
|Herself |Series 17 |
| rowspan="3" |2022
|Guest judge |
| The Masked Singer: I'm a Celebrity Special
|Herself |Performed as Witchetty Grub |
| Alison Hammond In at the Rich End: The Riviera
|Herself |
| 2023
| The British Academy Film Awards | |
| 2023–present
| Alongside Noel Fielding, replaced Matt Lucas |
| rowspan="2" | 2024–present
|Alison Hammond: For the Love of Dogs | Herself | Replaced Paul O'Grady |
| Rob Beckett's Smart TV
|Herself |
| rowspan="2" | 2025
|Alison Hammond's Florida Unpacked | Presenter |
| Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend
| Presenter |
=Guest appearances=
{{Div col}}
- Celebrities Under Pressure (July 2004)
- Hell's Kitchen (April 2009)
- Hole in the Wall (October 2009)
- Angela and Friends (January 2010) – 3 episodes
- All Star Family Fortunes (December 2010) – Contestant, This Morning vs Emmerdale
- Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (December 2012) – Contestant
- Big Star's Little Star (9 April 2014) – Contestant
- Weekend (3 May 2014) – Herself
- Who's Doing the Dishes? (2014) – Celebrity chef
- Celebrity Squares (19 April 2015) – Guest
- The Chase: Celebrity Special (1 May 2016) – Contestant
- Hacker Time (August 2016) – Guest
- Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (22 October 2017) – Contestant
- Catchphrase (British game show) (9 December 2018) – Contestant
- Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule (8 June 2019) – Guest
- Hollyoaks (14 June 2019) – Guest{{Cite news|work=Digital Spy|access-date=18 November 2020|date=27 March 2019 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a26956155/hollyoaks-alison-hammond-cameo/|first=Joe|last=Anderton|title=Hollyoaks brings in This Morning's Alison Hammond for a surprise cameo}}
- Joe Lycett's Got Your Back (29 May 2020) – Guest
- Big Brother: Best Shows Ever (22 June 2020) – Guest
- DNA Journey (6 October 2022) – Guest
- Saving Grace podcast (26 October 2022) – Guest
- Michael McIntyre's Big Show (4 February 2024) - Midnight Gameshow
{{Div col end}}
= Stage appearances =
- The Rocky Horror Show (as the Narrator) - The Alexandra, Birmingham - 2019
- Jack and the Beanstalk (as the Spirit of the Beans) - Birmingham Hippodrome - 2023–24
- Peter Pan (as the Magical Mermaid) - Birmingham Hippodrome - 2024–25
Books
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{itv.com|id=thismorning/presenters-experts/alison-hammond|title=Alison Hammond}}
{{Big Brother UK}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hammond, Alison}}
Category:Actresses from Birmingham, West Midlands
Category:Big Brother (British TV series) contestants
Category:Black British television personalities
Category:British child actresses
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:English television actresses