She’s been a firm favourite on TV thanks to her no-filter A-list interviews and on-screen gaffes ever since she left the Big Brother house nearly 20 years ago, so it was little surprise when Alison Hammond landed a coveted presenting job on This Morning earlier this year alongside X Factor veteran Dermot O’Leary.
While she makes no secret of the fact it took her and Dermot – who used to present Big Brother’s Bit On The Side – a while to click on-screen, she reveals the pair are like siblings now. “The last time I’d seen Dermot was when I came out of the Big Brother house in 2002! I was really in awe of him,” laughs Alison.
“But you can’t expect to put two people together and have instant chemistry. Both of us love This Morning and wanted it to work. There were times where we would talk to each other about what didn’t work for the other person and we worked from that. We’re like brother and sister now. He texts me every day and we’re totally honest with each other – too honest sometimes!”
Check out: Alison Hammond's ex-husband and boyfriends
Alison Hammond's ex-husband and boyfriends - slider
1 of 3Noureddine Boufaied
Alison was previously married to Manchester cab driver Noureddine Boufaied who is also the father of her 15-year-old son Aiden.The daytime TV presenter discovered she was pregnant shortly after finding fame on the third series of Big Brother. Although she didn't name the father of her child at first, Alison and Noureddine later posed for a magazine shoot together.
2 of 3Jamie Savage
Alison found love again in 2014 when she met single dad Jamie Savage on an online dating website.They later got engaged, with a source telling The Sun, "He's a security guard, which suits Alison fine. She may be a celebrity, but she's incredibly down to earth and doesn't have any airs or graces."Sadly, their relationship wasn't meant to be and they split in 2017. At the time, a heartbroken Alison explained, "We split up. It's the worst news ever. I don't think I want anyone else now."
3 of 3Ben Kusi
During her stint on Celebs Go Dating last year, Alison grew close to audio technician Ben Kusi."He's fit," Alison told This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby at the time. "I could see later on, I will want to rip his clothes off. I can see a future potential. He looks great. He's beautiful."Alison and Ben stayed in touch after the show but sadly it wasn't meant to be and their relationship fizzled out.
The star – who is mum to 16-year-old son Aidan – says she’s had support from the rest of the This Morning team, too. She says, “We’re all quite private people so don’t get into each other’s personal lives too much – but I know I can call on them when I need them. I went to watch Holly and Phil filming in the studio to get some tips – everyone has their own system and method behind the scenes.”
Alison has also just released her autobiography – You’ve Got to Laugh – which charts her rise to fame, relationships and body-confidence battle. She reveals that, after being fat-shamed as a child, she stopped training with an Olympic swimming team – but turned that pain into positivity by loving her body for what it is.
“I always say I think of my body as an instrument and not an ornament,” says Alison. “I look in the mirror every day and I think I’m gorgeous! I have great skin, beautiful shoulders and lovely legs. And I can always turn my eye inwards and see how beautiful I am on the inside too.”
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While she radiates self-love, Alison – who spent years trying various diets and had a gastric band fitted after a chair broke underneath her during an interview with Matt Damon – concedes her size will be a lifelong battle. “I haven’t learned to be totally at ease with my size and I’m not sure I ever will,” she admits. “I go through phases when I want to be smaller and moments where I’m happy where I am. I’m still dealing with all those things, wanting to be healthier for my knees, my ankles and, of course, for my son. It’s an ongoing issue in my life.”
But, testament to her upbeat attitude, the former Strictly star says she feels sexy no matter her size. She says, “I feel less pressure to look good in the public eye because I haven’t got the body that everyone desires. I’ve got this body, so I can be who I want to be and wear the clothes I want to wear. I’m going to carry on and embrace my life, no matter what size I am. I’ll still have fun, I’m really going to enjoy my life and do all the things I want to do. My weight won’t define me and what I do with my life!”
While she’s currently single, the star – who appeared on Celebs Go Dating last year in a bid to find love – admits she wants to find The One. She says, “You have to love like you’ve never been hurt and I will take every relationship as it comes. I’m definitely open to love. I might even download Tinder! I’m not on the dating sites but I wouldn’t rule it out. I love kind, chivalrous men. I don’t need gifts, I want someone to do the garden, cut the lawn, and clean the windows – then I’m likely to fall in love!”
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My view on...
Future career plans
“I’d love my own Saturday night show. I think I could be a little bit naughtier if it were in the evening. It would be amazing – I’d start the show every
week with a dance with a celebrity guest, like Britney or Kylie. My dream guests would be David Jason and Michelle Obama.”
My spiritual side
“I’m called ‘Angel Alison’ – I love my Angel cards and do readings for everyone. I rub the cards on my chest then pull three out and read the cards. I also use mood boards at home to help visualise the things I want to happen.
At the moment, on my board I’ve got a swimming pool, my own TV show and my own clothes line.”
Diversity on TV
“I was watching Strictly recently – and the representation on the show is wonderful and it’s great for my child to see that on TV. I think he’s at the point that he feels he can do anything. I don’t think we’re there yet, but hearts and minds are definitely going in the right direction.”
You’ve Got to Laugh: Stories from a life lived to the full by Alison Hammond is published on 14 October by Bantam Press. Alison and Dermot will present This Morning daily between 18-22 October at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.