Alison Hammond appears to have hinted at a split with her 'secret' boyfriend after a telling two-word remark on This Morning. The presenter had lots to be celebrating as she returned to the helm of the ITV daytime show on Friday (March 17) alongside Dermot O'Leary.
Alison was back fronting the show after confirming that she was the new co-host of The Great British Bake Off. A space on the hit Channel 4 show had become available after Matt Lucas announced he had quit last year. The comedian said in December he was leaving as he could no longer commit to the programme’s schedule alongside his other projects but described his time on the show as a "delicious experience".
And on Friday morning (March 17), Alison exclaimed 'it's official' as she finally confirmed her next big TV role. Dermot was quick to show his support as he applauded her new gig as they returned to This Morning. Dermot gushed that Alison was the "new Bake Off host" before Alison said: "Can you believe it?"
The studio then burst out in cheers and whoops before Alison revealed that the cake was why she signed up for the show. "I'll be honest with you, I'm just in it for the cake," she admitted, before adding: "I really am."
They soon moved the conversation on as they were celebrating St Patrick's Day in the studio with Craig Doyle live from Galway, Clodagh McKenna in the kitchen and B*Witched sitting down for a chat and performing their hit track, C'est La Via. But before that, it was time for the latest This Morning's View segment.
Among the stories being discussed was the upcoming reality dating series Romance Retreat, set to gill the Love Island void in our lives, which Davina McCall has confirmed she will be hosting after 'manifesting' the gig after sharing her hopes for an 'older' version of the hit ITV2 dating show.
Alison said of the series: "It’s a great idea," but Dermot turned the attention to her as he said: "Hold on a second, there’s a casting call Alison. ITV is looking for vibrant single parents…" To which mum-of-one Alison replied: "Hey, I'm single," before joking she would sign up to meet men and also take her chance at winning the prize money.
"I would give the money to charity. I could do that and find a nice man," she said. "Your two favourite things," Dermot joked. And her split suggestion comes just weeks after she denied she was engaged.
Despite keeping her love life out of the public eye, the 48-year-old did reveal last year that she had a man in her life. Or should we say co-host and friend Dermot let the news slip during a live episode of the ITV daytime show. Dermot said at the time: "You're not available anymore but if you were, jeez, what a catch!" At the time a sheepish Alison reprimanded Dermot for "telling the world" but then later opened up about her partner.
Then later, speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her self-titled ITV show, Alison said her boyfriend, who she hasn't named but is reported to be a gardener, makes her "heart sing" and "enriches her life". She added: "All I can say is he makes my heart sing and I feel content. He enriches my life in ways I’ve never had before." In November, she told a podcast it was "a little bit" love at first sight for her, adding: "I don’t think it was love at first sight on their front."
And during an episode of This Morning last month, there was a sound of wedding bells as Alison and Dermot appeared on-screen before the former X Factor host exclaimed: "I hear a congratulations are in order..." As the sound of bells rang out, Demort turned to his co-star and said: "I can't believe you weren't going to tell us you're getting married."
But Alison, who shot to fame after appearing on Big Brother in 2002, laughed and declared: "Cut the music! I'm not engaged, I'm so sorry I'm not engaged!" She then added: "I told you, if I was ever to get engaged or get married I would be the first person to tell you! I'd put it all over Instagram and TikTok!"
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