Alison Hammond beamed from ear-to-ear as she made her red carpet debut with toyboy boyfriend David Putman at a showbiz bash in London last week.
The TV star, 49, who was also joined by her 19-year-old son Aiden, has been dating the Russian model and masseur, 26, since the end of last year. And pals tell Closer that despite facing backlash over their 23-year age gap – including from David’s mum – their relationship is going from strength-to-strength.
“Alison is not going to be put off her new man by anyone, including friends and especially his mother,” our source says. “Alison argues that David is 26 going on 45 – he’s not a teenager, he’s actually mentally more mature than she is. Alison knew there would be resistance, and this is one of the reasons why they kept things under wraps in the beginning.”
It’s thought that Alison first met David when she booked him for a massage, with their friendship soon blossoming into romance. They then went public on social media in April. But their relationship has come under fire from David’s mum Olga, who reportedly begged him to leave the This Morning presenter.
It’s been said that the 63-year-old is “uncomfortable” that her son is with someone “who has so much more financial power than him” and it goes against her “traditional values”. However, our insider says that defiant Alison is happier than ever.
“Olga hasn’t said anything that Alison knew wouldn’t come,” the source continues. “Alison confided to friends that all they ask is for a blessing. She thinks she should be happy for them and for her son – after all, Alison would be if the role was reversed and it was Aiden.
“Alison sees David’s mother’s point of view, but she wants her to know that she doesn’t need to worry – they love each other. She thinks it’s sad, but thankfully, David – despite loving his mum – really loves Alison. She isn’t looking for approval, she would just like the key people in their lives to be happy for them.”
One person who has clearly given them the seal of approval is Alison’s son Aiden, who she shares with her ex, Noureddine Boufaied. Opening up about their bond, she said, “When they actually met, he really liked him, he really thought he was lovely, so that’s nice. Thank goodness for that! Because normally Aiden hates anybody I date, literally just not interested. And you just know at that point, if Aiden doesn’t like them, this isn’t gonna work.”
It comes after Closer revealed that marriage could even be on the cards for the couple, with Alison dropping 5st in a bid to fit into her dream wedding dress. “Although she’s not yet engaged, she sees David as The One. It likely won’t be long before they take the next step, so she has her sights set on losing a further 3st and wearing the dress of her dreams,” a source previously told us.
