Alison Hammond is a British television presenter and personality known for her infectious laugh, warmth, and hilarious celebrity interviews . She gained public attention for competing in the third series of Big Brother in 2002, and has since become a household name as a presenter on ITV’s This Morning, co-host of The Great British Bake Off, and the new host of For the Love of Dogs . In 2026, she made headlines after revealing the secret behind her 11-stone (154-pound) weight loss, addressing rumors that she used weight-loss drugs like Ozempic .
Quick Facts
Full Name: Alison Hammond
Age: 51 (born February 5, 1975)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Television Presenter, Actress
Known For: This Morning, The Great British Bake Off, For the Love of Dogs
Marital Status: Divorced (Noureddine Boufaied); currently dating David Putman
Children: One son, Aiden Hammond (born 2005)
Early Life and Background
Hammond was born on February 5, 1975, in Birmingham to Jamaican parents and was raised in the Kingstanding district alongside her two siblings . From the age of 11, she participated in drama workshops run by Central Television, though lack of funds prevented her from attending drama school . She worked as a holiday rep and later as a cinema usherette before finding fame . Prior to her television career, she followed in her mother’s footsteps as a travel representative .
Career and Achievements
Hammond first entered the public eye as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002, where she was the second housemate to be evicted . Following her eviction, she began presenting competitions on ITV’s This Morning, later becoming a regular presenter and reporter . She currently co-hosts The Great British Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding, a role she took on in 2023 . In 2024, she became the presenter of For the Love of Dogs, the beloved ITV series focusing on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, following the death of original host Paul O’Grady .
Hammond has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, was a judge on I Can See Your Voice, and released her autobiography, You’ve Got To Laugh, in 2021 . She is a four-time National Television Award nominee for Best Presenter.
Weight Loss Journey
At her heaviest, Hammond weighed over 28 stone (392 pounds) . Her motivation to change came after a prediabetic diagnosis. “My mum had Type 2 diabetes and she was worried for me, so when I then found out that I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening. I thought ‘I have to be an adult about this’,” she told Women’s Health .
Hammond has emphasized that her 11-stone weight loss was achieved naturally, without the use of drugs like Ozempic. “It makes me laugh when I see comments like ‘Alison is so skinny now’. I’m still overweight! I’m a size 20!” she told The Daily Telegraph . She added that she finds the idea of using weight loss drugs “frightening” .
The key changes she made included cutting out sweets and fatty foods, working with personal trainers multiple times per week, and embracing exercise she actually enjoys such as boxing, Pilates, and strength training . Her personal trainer shared that she never enjoyed traditional cardio, so they focused on resistance-based circuits to raise her heart rate while building muscle . She now does a combination of weightlifting, boxing, walking, stretching, and yoga .
Why She Is In the News
Hammond is in the news after addressing persistent rumors that she used Ozempic or other weight-loss drugs following her dramatic 11-stone weight loss. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph published in April 2026, she confirmed she lost the weight naturally after a prediabetes diagnosis, working with three personal trainers and exercising multiple times per week . She also shared that she cut sweets and fatty foods from her diet to achieve her health transformation .
Conclusion
Alison Hammond is one of the UK’s most beloved television personalities, beloved for her genuine personality and infectious energy. From her start on reality television to hosting prime-time shows and now inspiring others with her health journey, she has cemented her status as a national treasure. Her 11-stone weight loss—achieved naturally through strength training and dietary changes has sparked conversation about body image and health, though she remains refreshingly candid: “I’m still overweight! I don’t want to take up less space in the world. I want to fill that space” .
