Alison Hammond, the beloved This Morning star, has shared an emotional account of her financial difficulties, admitting that despite her fame, there was a time when she struggled to pay her mortgage. The 49-year-old, who became a household name after appearing on Big Brother in the early 2000s, revealed the unpredictable nature of the TV industry and how it affected her life.
Alison, known for her bubbly personality and her roles on The Great British Bake Off and For The Love Of Dogs, might seem like someone who’s had an easy financial ride. However, in 2007, she was dropped by This Morning and found herself without any other work lined up. This led to a difficult time for her, despite her widespread recognition.
Speaking about the period, Alison said: “There was a time when I couldn’t pay my mortgage, and I was really famous.” The TV star had to take on a job at a local hairdresser to make ends meet. She revealed that when customers recognised her, she would simply say she was helping out, but would also answer the phone and do a few blow dries.
During this time, her young son Aidan was at home, and Alison’s mother helped them financially. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Alison became emotional, explaining: “It’s not all good all of the time. But I was all right, you know? That’s television, it’s fickle, and it’s part of my journey, part of my power.”
Alison joined Bake Off last year, replacing comedian Matt Lucas. Fans have embraced her presence on the show, where she brings her signature charm and humour. Unlike co-host Noel Fielding, Alison admits she indulges in the cakes featured on the show, which has endeared her even more to the audience. However, she is realistic about the future, stating that she isn’t sure if the show will want her back next year. Despite this uncertainty, Alison remains optimistic: “That’s OK. I know I’ll be OK, because I’ve been OK before. I’ll go and work at Tesco, and people will still love me.”
While her future with Bake Off is uncertain, Alison is set to return to For The Love Of Dogs, despite rumours that she might be axed from the show. Viewing figures during her debut series didn’t match the high numbers seen during Paul O’Grady’s time, with her April episode reaching an average of 1.84 million viewers, compared to Paul’s four million viewers in 2021.
Alison has also faced online trolling, particularly criticism from fans who questioned her suitability for the show because she doesn’t own a dog. Addressing the backlash, she said: “It’s like saying: ‘How can you love children when you haven’t got kids?’”
Despite the challenges, it seems ITV is keen to keep Alison on the show. A source told The Sun: “ITV are delighted with how Alison performed at the helm of the show and are chuffed she’s going back to Battersea. It was a big risk continuing the show without Paul, who obviously cannot be replaced, but Alison’s warmth and infectious personality shone through. It was a no-brainer to commission the series for another run, and Alison is also delighted to be going back to Battersea.”
