Get to Know 'The Great British Bake Off' Host Alison Hammond

To know Alison Hammond is to love Alison Hammond.

Alison Hammond will make history as the first person of color to co-host The Great British Bakeoff, replacing Matt Lucas. The beloved British presenter announced the news on Friday, March 17, and while she may be new to American fans of the show, those across the pond already know her well. Once you know her, you'll love her.

How did Alison Hammond become famous?

Alison Hammond got her start as a child in the prestigious Television Workshop drama group in the U.K., which netted her some roles. Unfortunately, like many promising young British talents, her family didn't have the money for a prestigious drama school once she got older, so she worked odd jobs to make ends meet.

In 2002, Hammond was a contestant on Big Brother U.K., and though she only lasted two weeks on the reality series, she made such an impact that it landed her a weight loss segment on ITV's This Morning. Her infectious laughter and endless charm and warmth quickly landed her a regular gig on the breakfast show, with her celebrity interviews—especially one for Blade Runner 2049 with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling—going viral.

Who is the father of Alison Hammond's baby?

Alison Hammond was previously married to Noureddine Boufaied, with whom she shares an 18-year-old son named Aiden.

Related: How Much Did Harrison Ford Make for Star Wars and Indiana Jones?

How did Alison Hammond lose weight?

Hammond hasn't commented publicly about her weight nor about her weight loss, which isn't anyone's business. That said, she did appear in the reality series Sugar Free Farm, in which celebrities participate in a challenge to cut sugar from their diets.

She revealed in her autobiography that she underwent gastric bypass surgery after a humiliating moment during an interview with Matt Damon.

Related: What Is Matt Damon's Net Worth?

“Halfway through the interview, something awful and embarrassing happened," she wrote (via 104 FM All Buzz). "My size and weight went against me and suddenly the side of the chair broke. I was mortified. I wanted the world to swallow me."

She recalled that Damon was incredibly kind during the incident, checking if she was OK and getting her another chair.

“‘Don’t worry about it,’ I said, and I ripped the arm off the chair and flung it on to the floor. That made him laugh and, instead of bursting into tears, which would have been the natural thing to do, I started laughing as well and we carried on with the interview,” she wrote, adding that she requested the moment not air in the interview.

Shortly after, she got a gastric sleeve, but had to reverse the procedure.

"I felt as if my body was rejecting the foreign entity inside me and I began to get ill,” she wrote. “Normally it takes 15 minutes to remove a gastric band, but it took my surgeon an hour and a half because scar tissue had grown around mine so thickly that it was squeezing my stomach shut to the point where I couldn’t eat anything, Which was why I was always being sick.”

Related: Best Cooking Shows on Streaming

What dress size is Alison Hammond?

It's of no concern to her and no concern to us. She previously told The Mirror, "Sometimes I look at myself and go, 'Wow, I am a big girl.' But I like taking up a bit of space. I take a little bit of extra space in the world and I don't think I'm hurting anyone. We're all going to die eventually. I might die a little bit sooner, but I'm going to live my life to the fullest. And if I do die sooner, I'm going to have a fantastic life. I'm going to have a wonderful life. I'm 47 now, I don't know how long I'm going to go on for."

Preach!

What is Alison Hammond's net worth in 2023?

Alison Hammond's net worth is estimated to be anywhere from $1 million to $5 million thanks to her years as a cherished television fixture in the U.K.

Is Alison Hammond a single mom?

Hammond confirmed on March 17, 2023, that she is single. Gentlemen, get in line!

Next, check out the best baking shows on streaming.