Once again, The Great British Bake Off has entered a new hosting era. As Matt Lucas left to pursue and focus on other opportunities, that left a big gap to fill alongside Noel Fielding.
The task will fall to the bubbly and entertaining Alison Hammond in the latest season of the beloved baking show. Given that this is a wholesome program centered around fun with baked goods, the hosts can play an integral role in adding a lovely element to the kitchen. This will be the first time Hammond is a part of the show, but she’s definitely been around the television block. And she certainly understands how to play to a crowd and build rapport with contestants.
Here’s what you should know as you get acquainted with Bake Off’s new hosting personality.
1
She was once a Big Brother cast member
That’s right. Hammond was a fixture of Big Brother’s third season in 2002 (the British version, of course). Of the entire 14-person cast, Hammond was the third to leave the house following an “eviction” after 15 days. She was one of the Day 1 entries into the house. Hammond had other TV roles before, according to her IMDb profile, but this appeared to be her major breakthrough.
2
She was also an early cast member on The Doctors
That same year in 2002, Hammond had a one-episode role in the long-running British soap opera, The Doctors. Hammond played Danielle in the episode “Tears of a Clown.” She would once again help parlay this into a vibrant and productive career.
3
Hammond became a This Morning fixture over two decades ago
As it turns out, 2002 was a very productive year in Hammond’s career. Hammond debuted as a reporter and presenter for This Morning, an ITV daytime program that focuses on the latest in fashion, show business, and pop culture. Hammond has the current second-longest tenure with the show. This position appeared to be her main focus until she hopped on with The Great British Bake Off.
4
Hammond went viral during a hilarious interview with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in 2017
Hammond has undoubtedly had many noteworthy moments during her This Morning career, but this below sequence with Ford and Gosling might take the cake. Hammond was supposed to interview the pair about Blade Runner: 2049 but told them she hadn’t seen the original and proceeded to drink liquor with both instead, as they seemed to have an absolute blast.
5
Hammond admitted she was more nervous for Bake Off than ever
Despite being a regular television personality for the better part of two decades, Hammond told the Daily Mail that she was extremely nervous to host The Great British Bake Off. Why? She didn’t want to upstage anyone.
How iconic.
“… I’m gonna be honest, I have never been that nervous since I hosted first with Dermot O’Leary (another This Morning personality) on the main show. If you think of the bigger picture, you think this is a global show, I don’t want to ruin this. And I could you know, I’m a little bit risky!”
