Alison Hammond has been showered with support after she shared a heartbreaking wish on social media. The This Morning host took to both Instagram and Twitter to share a tribute to her late mum on what would have been her birthday.
Her mum, Maria, died in January 2020 from liver and lung cancer. Alison shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Valentine's Day the same year after laying her mum to rest in "a beautiful ceremony she would have been proud of." Paying tribute at the time, Alison shared: "Today I dedicate Valentine’s Day to my beautiful, wonderful Mother Maria who passed away from liver and lung cancer. Yesterday my family and I celebrated her amazing life and laid her to rest in a beautiful ceremony she would have been proud of," she said.
"Thank you mummy for giving me the strength to move forward in the knowledge that your ok and with God in Heaven now. I will always remember you and try and make you proud. I love you mum." And it turned into a double tragedy for Alison as Maria's death was then followed by the loss of her father, Clifford Hammond, in Jamaica four months later in June 2020.
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Cliff died in June 2020 just four months after Maria passed away. Alison said she didn’t get to spend as much time with her dad as she would have liked and was heartbroken not to be able to attend his funeral, at the height of Covid restrictions.
On Thursday (March 16), Alison posted a picture of herself kissing a huge picture of her late mum which appeared at her 48th birthday party last month which she shared with her son, Aidan, as he turned 18 on the same day. Alongside the snap, she wrote an emotional wish, which read: "Happy Heavenly Birthday Mum. Wish I could hold you again."
Alison quickly received an influx of messages from her celebrity friends and fans who wanted to send their love and show their support. This Morning co-star Dermot O'Leary said: "Big love babs. What a legacy she has x." Fellow broadcaster Vanessa Feltz wrote: "Sending you so much love my darling."
This Morning chef Clodagh McKenna and singer and Strictly 2022 finalist Fleur East flooded the post with heart emojis while actress Emily Atack wrote on Twitter: "She’ll be bursting with pride up there."
@ruth.mooney said: "Happy birthday to your mother she was so blessed to have you as a daughter." @susishackers commented: "Sending you a big hug on your Mum’s heavenly birthday." @momma_bear_jan wrote: "They never leave us Alison. They guide us spiritually. Look at your life and see how your beautiful mum influenced your success. Sending you love and huge squishy bear hugs." @twiggy_77 added: "Happy heavenly birthday to your mum. Thinking of you Alison your mum would be so proud of you."
The message came as reports began to spread that Alison is set to become the new host of the Great British Bake Off. The presenter is said to be stepping into the role to replace comedian Matt Lucas in the next series of the popular baking show, according to the Mirror. She will join fellow presenters Paul Hollywood, Dame Prue Leith and Noel Fielding.
Appearing to confirm Alison's move, Rylan reshared a number of pictures of himself and Alison during a stint hosting THis Morning together and wrote: "So proud of @AlisonHammond. In the great words of the Harding ITS ABOOUTTT TIIIIMMMEEE x." Fellow ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly also tweeted: "Big congrats to the force of nature that is our @AlisonHammond - she will be fabulous on Bake Off #GBBO @BritishBakeOff."
However, the woman herself has since confirmed the news, tweeting on Friday morning (March 17): "It’s Official!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off! let’s have it – The cake that is so excited @BritishBakeOff @Channel4 @PrueLeith @PaulHollywood @noelfielding11 #GBBO."
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