Alison Hammond is known for her infectious laugh and larger-than-life presence, but as she looks back on the past year, the presenter says it has also been a period of reflection.
“I’m stronger than I sometimes give myself credit for,” she told The Standard. “And I’ve learned that joy doesn’t have to be rushed. It’s okay to slow down and really appreciate where you are.”
Turning 50 has played a part in that shift. Gratitude, she says, has been front of mind. “I’m so lucky to still be doing work I love, with people I admire,” she says. “Professionally, stepping outside my comfort zone and being part of projects that genuinely help people has been a real win. Personally, it’s about feeling settled, happy and confident in who I am.”
Hammond first shot to fame on Big Brother in 2002 and has since built a career defined by warmth and empathy, qualities that have made her one of television’s most popular interviewers, with even the usually no-nonsense Harrison Ford warming to her in clips that went viral.
Now one of Britain’s most familiar television faces, Hammond hosts This Morning and fronts programmes including The Great British Bake Off and For the Love of Dogs, roles that have cemented her reputation as a presenter viewers and guests alike feel instantly at ease with.
That more reflective mindset has reshaped how Hammond approaches the festive season. “I still love the sparkle and the joy,” she says, “but I’m very aware it can be emotional for a lot of people, especially those who may feel isolated. I try to keep things grounded, lots of laughter, good food, and giving myself permission to rest. I don’t put pressure on everything being perfect anymore.”
Her favourite traditions are the simplest ones. “I love the cosiness, fairy lights, pyjamas and proper comfort food,” she says. “My favourite thing is just being together, whether that’s family, friends, or people who’ve become family. And a Christmas film and a cuddle on the sofa is hard to beat.”
Earlier this month, Hammond revealed she had moved in with her boyfriend, Russian masseuse David Putman, 28. She has previously played down their 22-year age gap, describing him as mature and sensible, and saying she feels no pressure to marry.
The move followed a broader period of change. In March last year, Hammond relocated from her long-time home near Birmingham to a house in a Greater London suburb to be closer to the capital for filming commitments.
It has also been a year of significant physical change. Hammond hit headlines after revealing she had lost 11 stone, dropping from 28 stone at her heaviest to 16 and a half stone and reversing a pre-diabetic diagnosis in the process.
Professionally, she says she has become increasingly drawn to projects that feel purposeful. One of those is a recent collaboration with Specsavers Home Visits, a service providing sight and hearing care to people who are unable to leave their homes independently.
New research from Specsavers found that 52 per cent of people who cannot leave home without support are missing out on essential eye and hearing services, while 12 per cent of carers said the person they look after has experienced untreated hearing loss or worsening eyesight because they were unable to visit a store.
“It really hit home for me,” Hammond says. “We all know someone who’s maybe not getting out as much as they used to, whether that’s because of mobility, confidence, or just feeling overwhelmed by the world.”
Spending time with people receiving care in their own homes left a lasting impression. “Sitting in their homes, hearing their stories and seeing how much it meant to have that care brought directly to their door was incredibly moving,” she says. “It’s about dignity, care and making people feel seen.”
The experience reinforced something she believes applies far beyond healthcare. “We’re all busy,” she says, “but just asking ‘Are you alright?’ and genuinely listening can mean more than we realise.”
Viewers will see that empathy on screen next year when Hammond presents Your Song alongside Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder. The programme, which gives everyday people the chance to perform deeply personal songs, struck a chord with her immediately.
“Your Song is raw, emotional and incredibly moving. It’s about real people and real feelings,” she says. “Working with Paloma and Sam was a dream. They’re both so generous and supportive.”
Ryder recently praised Hammond’s calming presence when speaking to The Standard, saying that one of her hugs would give him the confidence to step on stage. It is a compliment she clearly treasures.
“Sam saying that about my hugs has honestly made my year,” she says. “If a hug can help someone feel confident enough to do something that brave, then I must be doing something right.”
To find out more about Specsavers Home Visits and eligibility, go to specsavers.co.uk
© The Standard Ltd