She’s fast-become TV’s golden girl of the moment and, this year, Alison Hammond will be taking centre stage once more as she heads back to her celebrity roots to host the behind-the-scenes studio segment of the prestigious BAFTA Awards.
With the head of BAFTA calling her interviewing style “brilliantly entertaining” and “candid”, it’s clear the This Morning presenter has gone from strength-to-strength over the last year.
And after her temporary move to the BBC – despite sources previously revealing how big bosses at ITV were keen to tie her into a “golden handcuffs” deal – Alison, 48, says her team at This Morning were thrilled for her when she received the big news.
She says, “They’ve all been so supportive – everyone at This Morning has been really excited about it. So many people have come up to me and said congratulations.
“I was in bed when I got the news! I seem to always be in bed when I get good news. It’s like when I got nominated for the NTAs. Holly [Willoughby] contacted me, and she was like, ‘Babes, you’ve been nominated for an NTA!’ I’m always in bed!”
Alison first found fame when she starred on Big Brother in 2002, before rising up the ranks at This Morning in her role as celebrity correspondent, later landing the coveted role of presenter on Friday mornings alongside her co-host Dermot O’Leary.
The duo, who host when regulars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have their day off, became a hit with viewers for their banter, with many fans also relating to Alison’s vulnerability over her weight and being a single mum.
And Alison now reveals she’ll be roping in Dermot to calm her nerves and act as her lucky charm before her BAFTAs gig on Sunday.
She says, “If Dermot doesn’t sing to me before a show, then I can’t go on. So I’m going to have to have him phone me and sing before I do the BAFTAs, otherwise it just won’t feel right. I do have a few rituals, I’m a little bit weird.”
Over the years, Alison’s hilarious off-the-cuff interviews – with the likes of Harrison Ford, Hugh Jackman, and The Rock, who she “married” on-screen – have had viewers and celebrities in stitches, and she laughs, “I’d love to marry [Peaky Blinders star and BAFTA nominee] Daryl McCormack live on air like I did with The Rock!” But she admits her forgetfulness has led her to being meticulous with her planning.
She says, “My greatest downfall would be that I’m forgetful. I think it’s because I’m going through a bit of the menopause. I’m the sort of person who can style it out and go with it, but I do like to prep.
“I wouldn’t do the BAFTAs if I hadn’t seen all of the films. I’ll watch every single one, everything – even if it’s not my cup of tea.”
The award ceremony will be Alison’s biggest gig to date as she ventures behind the scenes with an access-all-areas pass to exclusively interview the stars.
“The studios – that’s where all the champagne is going to be,” she laughs. “I’ll be with the stars, the winners, literally giving them a hug, making sure they’re having a lovely time. It’s up there really, winning a BAFTA. It’s above the Oscars, let’s be honest!”
And when asked whether she’d love to host the Oscars one day, Alison laughs, before adding, “I’d love to crack America, actually. I’d love to do that eventually. That would be cool, wouldn’t it? But at the moment, I’m just concentrating on the BAFTAs.”
Alison has recently been praised for her 2st weight loss – with fans on social media writing, “Wow Alison is looking incredible right now!” and, “Alison has had a glow up and looks unreal”.
And while glamming up for one of the biggest showbiz events of the year, she reveals how her team pulls out all the stops.
She says, after being complimented on how gorgeous she looks, “It’s the glam team that make me look amazing – I really don’t wake up like this! And I have a stylist. For the BAFTAs, my stylist came to my house and brought me a few dresses. It’s between three dresses. I like all of them. It’s like, ‘Which one do I go for?’ Do I go for black? Do I go for red?’ I don’t know which one to choose so, ultimately, she will be the decision maker! Maybe I’ll even do an outfit change – we’ll see!”
EE BAFTA Film Awards will be broadcast on Sunday 19 February at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer