Alison Hammond reveals heartbreaking reason she broke down in tears after landing Great British Bake Off host job
ALISON Hammond has revealed the heartbreaking reason she broke down in tears after landing the Great British Bake Off job.
The Big Brother legend was tipped to stand in for comedian Matt Lucas and last week confirmed she had signed up for the Channel 4 show.
Alison, 48, announced that she had landed the new presenter role on her late mum Maria's birthday.
The This Morning star described it as a "bittersweet", saying it was an emotional moment as her mother was a huge fan of the baking programme.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Alison said: "It was so exciting, I knew the news about three weeks before announcing it.
"The story was leaked but it was fine because we were ready to go with it anyway. I was over the moon, I've been sitting on it for three weeks.
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"When it was leaked, guess who's birthday it was? My mum.
"I was kind of feeling like was it my mum who leaked this story. I'll do this on my birthday."
The emotional star said she was "devastated" that her mum is not here to see this huge new role.
Maria sadly passed away in February 2020 after a battle with liver and lung cancer.
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Breaking down in tears at the Burberry Diversity Awards 2023, Alison continued: "It was one of her favourite programmes. It makes me really emotional you even saying it."
Getting choked up, Alison said: "Sorry I'm getting emotional as it's a really big thing and the fact that she doesn't get to see it.
"I'm devastated - it's bittersweet."
Alison said she struggled to keep the news to herself and told her son Aiden, 18, weeks ago.
"Well I might have told one person, I think it was my son," she let slip.
"You're not supposed to really but I was too excited and wanted to share it with him."
Alison said she is thrilled to be joining the GBBO family and will be working alongside new colleagues, presenter Noel Fielding, and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
She told us at the star-studded event: "I'm most excited to bring home cake, I keep getting asked if I'll bring some home.
"I'm ready to work with Paul[Hollywood] and Prue[Leith], but do you know what it's not about me, it's not even about the judges - it's really about the bakers and that's what I'm going to be concentrating on."
Alison will be stepping into comedian Matt Lucas' shoes after he quit last year.
TV favourite Alison said she is excited for her new onscreen partnership, saying they will be a "dream" duo.
Speaking about Noel, she said: "He's been texting me, I had to audition and do a screen test with him.
"He said he's really excited and praised me for doing amazing on the audition and said he can't wait to work with me.
"It's going to be a dream partnership, he's a dream with anybody."
Last week Alison revealed the news on her social media posting a photo of sugary figurines on top of a Bake Off inspired cake.
She narrated a mock up press conference in the video and said: "Breaking news everyone.
"Alison Hammond is joining the team of the Great British Bake Off. Alison, have you got any words whatsoever?"
Zooming in on her face, she added: "Do you know what I'm just so very excited.
"As you can see, all my colleagues are absolutely speechless.
"We're so very happy and we can't wait to get started!"
The star captioned her video: "It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! Let’s have it !
"The cake that is #GBBO 2023 Great British Bake Off @noel_fielding @prueleith @channel4 @paul.hollywood"
Her famous friends were quick to congratulate the star, as one raved: "Great choice!"
Fellow presenters Claudia Winkleman said: "Brilliant!" and Joel Dommett said: "Such great news!"
Alison previously entered the nation's most famous tent as a contestant on the celebrity version of the show for Stand Up 2 Cancer back in 2020.
Matt, 49, announced he was stepping down from the gig back in December after three years at the helm.
The comedian said he could no longer host it alongside his other projects.
The Little Britain star also presents the rebooted Fantasy Football League for Sky with fellow comedian Elis James and said he wasn't able to do both.
Last night Alison was recognised for work to champion equality and diversity at prestigious event hosted by June Sarpong MBE.
The major celebration welcomed more than 1,000 celebrities and influential business leaders to Grosvenor House in London as the awards honoured those inspiring change across diversity and inclusion.
Burberry British Diversity Awards founder, Linda Riley, said: "I'd like to congratulate all of the deserving winners at this year's Burberry-sponsored British Diversity Awards.
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“The awards rightly recognise the organisations and individuals who are doing so much to champion diversity in the workplace. It is such an important strand of any business and the winners understand how vital it is. Diversity not only drives up standards and engenders a more cohesive culture but it also helps boost productivity and growth.
"We have come so far but we are witnessing a worrying increase in intolerance and hate crimes against minorities. That's why we will continue to bang the drum for all things diversity and inclusion to make the UK a better place to live and work for everyone."
The Burberry British Diversity Awards 2023
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Community Project of the Year - UK Black Pride - sponsored by Sedulo
Head of Diversity of the Year - Cecil Peters at J.P Morgan - sponsored by 10X Banking
Hero of the Year - Katie Neeves at Cool2BTrans - sponsored by Boots
Diversity in Technology (Disability) - Brain in Hand - sponsored by BT
Marketing Campaign of the Year - Gender Identity Policy Campaign by Virgin Atlantic - sponsored by Denovo Legal Services
Sustainability Champion of the Year - Sophie Platts at Entain Group - sponsored by Centrica
Diversity Team of the Year - Inclusion Team at HSBC UK - sponsored by Haleon
Charity of the Year - Micro Rainbow - sponsored by Burberry
Inspirational Role Model of the Year - Hannah Awonuga at Barclays - sponsored by Lockton
Outstanding Employee Network of the Year - Collabor8 at Santander Consumer Finance
Outstanding Disability Network of the Year - Disability & Neurodiversity Employee Resource Groups - AMS - sponsored by EmployAbility
Outstanding Ethnic Diversity Network of the Year - Oliver Wyman at Empowered
Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year - HSBC UK - Pride - sponsored by myGwork
Social Mobility Initiative of the Year - Passport to Change by Virgin Atlantic
HR Champion of the Year - Sharlene John at Selfridges - sponsored by Ruebik
Company of the Year - Kantar - sponsored by National Grid
Diversity Champion of the Year - Deon Pillay at Legal & General Investment Management - sponsored by Leathwaite
Media Champion in the Public Eye - Alison Hammond - sponsored by Greene King
Outstanding Commitment to Diversity - Phyll Opoku-Gyimah - sponsored by Attest
