She’s got the most infectious laugh on TV. She’s even bringing out Paul Hollywood’s softer side. And she promises to bring a fresh audience to The Great British Bake Off. New presenter Alison Hammond could prove just the sugar boost that the cake-making contest needs in its 14th series.
“Alison is a breath of fresh air,” says her co-host Noel Fielding. “She brings an energy that’s infectious. Paul has been on the show since the beginning. Me and Prue [Leith] have been here for seven years, unbelievably. When someone new comes in, it’s like seeing Christmas all over again through your children’s eyes. Alison’s arrival has given us a reboot. Everyone raised their game. This is the best series in years.”
In the only interview given by Hammond and Fielding before her debut, the duo told the Observer how Hammond, best known for her stints on This Morning, landed one of the highest-profile gigs on TV. They also teased what viewers can expect when the hit show returns on 26 September – namely classic cakes, copious hugs and the Channel 4 show’s first ever deaf baker.
We begin by rewinding to last December, when incumbent Matt Lucas stepped down. “Word-of-mouth buzz started building,” recalls Fielding “My friends were going: ‘You know who’d be great? Alison Hammond!’ I was like: ‘Yeah, that would be a good fit.’ It turned out she was in the frame anyway, so it was fate.”
“It had honestly never been on my radar,” says Hammond. “I’ve always watched Bake Off but never imagined hosting it. When Matt left, my Twitter feed went crazy. Complete strangers were saying: ‘You should do Bake Off.’ And I was like: ‘Hmm, maybe I should.’ When I got the gig, my phone blew up with celebrities congratulating me. I didn’t realise how sought-after this job was.”
Four candidates were screen tested with Fielding. “I left the audition going: ‘That was pretty obvious.’” he says. “Alison and I clicked immediately. We just gelled. They’re not called chemistry tests for nothing. Everyone looked at each other and we just knew. When Alison met Paul and Prue, that cemented it. Paul loved Alison straightaway because he likes a bit of banter and she gave him some lip.”
“I’m a little bit naughty in real life,” she admits. “I hit it off with Dame Prue as well. It’s lovely having another woman around, and she’s so young at heart. She’s 83 but has more energy than all of us. My late mum adored Prue. She had all her books and admired her work in South Africa. She’d be very proud that we’ve become mates. It’s like this was always meant to be.”
Hammond’s casting was announced to widespread approval in March – albeit hurriedly, after producers got wind that it had leaked to the press. “Luckily I’d filmed this funny little cake video on my phone, so we released that,” she says. With 3 million followers across various platforms, Hammond brings social media savvy to the job. “I’m a big star on TikTok,” she jokes. “Although that’s like saying you’re loaded with Monopoly money. Maybe some younger people will give Bake Off a try. I might be bringing some Instagrammers and TikTokkers.” “I don’t even know what TikTok is,” shrugs Fielding cheerfully.
They’re an unlikely duo, but Hammond and Fielding’s rapport is undeniable. “People wouldn’t necessarily put us together – but it’s like my chocolate brownie recipe. It just works,” says Hammond. “There’s something childlike about both of us, but also free and jazzy,” muses Fielding. “We’re upbeat and go with the flow. We laugh the whole time. I hope people buzz off that and don’t find it annoying because we giggle constantly.”
“I watch Noel do his thing and can just feel myself smiling nonstop,” says Hammond. “Sometimes I think: ‘I hope no one’s watching me, because they’ll think I’m in love with him.’” They both erupt into hysterics. “We’re in the honeymoon period,” says Fielding.
Hammond becomes Fielding’s third co-host. “Me and Sandi [Toksvig] were like a classic double act,” he explains. “She was high status and openly smart; I was low status and hapless. With Matt, we were contemporaries with a clowning dynamic. Matt was the child; I was the teenager.”
“I’ve never been in a double act, so I find this fascinating,” interrupts Hammond. “What’s our thing? Are we Laurel and Hardy? The Rock and Kevin Hart?” “Well, you’re not a comedian – you’re a presenter,” says Fielding, “yet you’re one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. You crack me up, not as in ‘I’ve written a joke’ but naturally funny. The great gift for me is when I make stuff up: Alison isn’t fazed and goes with it.” “I love it when we do that,” she grins. “It’s like playing. Like you said, we’re children at heart.”
As well as quick wit, Hammond brings her trademark empathy. “Alison’s got an easy warmth with the bakers and they respond to her amazingly,” says Fielding. “I got emotional when one of them left, and I don’t know where it came from,” she says. “I was like: ‘Stop crying, you’re on telly! Oh my God, it’s too late!’” “It happens on this show,” Fielding reassures her. “I cry twice this series.”
The whole mood is more touchy-feely. “I’ve definitely raised the cuddle count,” she says. “Even Hollywood is giving out hugs.” “Alison’s very tactile,” says Fielding. “She walks into any situation and breaks down barriers. I turn my back for two minutes and she’ll have someone in a clinch.”
“Paul tried to pick me up but we fell over and rolled about on the floor,” she cackles. “I always think I’m much smaller than I am, then see myself on telly and go: ‘Oh gosh, I’m really big, aren’t I?’ It’s got me in trouble. I knock things over, spill stuff and have mishaps. I even ate a few ingredients I shouldn’t have. I was like: ‘Did you need this? Oops, sorry. Tasted delicious, though!’” Again Fielding gallantly makes her feel better by admitting he threw a lemon and broke some glass (“That livened up the tent!”).
Hammond’s burgeoning relationship with Hollywood promises to be a highlight. “I pretend I fancy him, which isn’t hard because he’s gorgeous,” she says. “He even took me for a drive in his sports car. He goes so fast – he thinks he’s an F1 driver. I won’t be doing that again.”
Although it won’t be on our screens until next week, filming has already wrapped. “I’ll look back on this summer with such fond memories,” beams Hammond. “I didn’t have to think about politics or have any opinions. I just looked after the bakers while they made amazing cakes. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, I’m not going to lie.”
Fielding nods. “When the world feels harsh, Bake Off is a refuge,” he says. “There’s nothing upsetting or divisive. The tent is kind and inclusive. A safe space.” “It’s Disneyland with cake,” laughs Hammond. “Pure escapism, like stepping into a dream world.”
This year’s diverse dozen bakers range from age 21 to 59, including a retired cabin crew member, a vegetable grower, a PE teacher and a deaf contestant. “We learned sign language, which was cool,” says Fielding. “The lovely guy who does the baker’s signing becomes like an extra character,” adds Hammond.
Recent series have been criticised for harsh judging, obscure challenges and stereotypical international weeks. These have been scrapped in favour of traditional themes. “It’s back to classic Bake Off,” says Fielding. “When a show is successful for so long, you get criticised if you don’t try new things. When you do, people aren’t comfortable with that either. You have to keep it fresh but familiar. It’s a tricky balance.” “Bake Off do listen to their fans,” adds Hammond. “If viewers say it would be nice to go back to basics, they take that on board.”
The result is a return to show-stopping form. Hammond teases: “We can’t tell you who wins, obviously, but we were all really happy.” “It makes for a very satisfying series,” agrees Fielding. Hammond can’t resist the last word: “In the first episode, there’s lots of beaver talk, and Prue drops the biggest clanger. I’ll say no more. You’re going to absolutely love it.”
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday 26 September
