Alison Hammond reveals she was told to ditch her Birmingham accent if she ever wanted a TV career: ‘I just thought I didn’t!’
Alison Hammond has revealed she has been told to ditch her Birmingham accent if she ever wants to make a name for herself on television.
The TV presenter, 48, told how a staff member at a London drama school suggested she soften her Brummie accent – something that didn’t go over well.
Alison told the Rosebud podcast: “I signed up for ALRA, The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts. And when I went there, the woman said, “Do you realize we’re going to have to change your accent?”
‘I thought: “Adjust? What does that even mean?” They said, ‘Because you have a real Brummie accent, so we’re going to have to adjust that.’ So I was like, ‘Oh, you mean RP?’
RP stands for Receivered Pronunciation, which is considered the standard form of spoken British English – something Alison claims she wished she spoke.
‘I won’t do that!’: Alison Hammond has revealed she has been told to ditch her Birmingham accent if she ever wants to make a name for herself on television
Love for Birmingham: Alison said she was asked to change her accent, which she refused to do as she loves her Midland roots and it hasn’t let her down so far (pictured on GBBO)
She added: “I just thought, I’m not doing that, I’m not changing my voice – I love my voice… I quite like my Birmingham accent though. It’s not too in your face.’
Alison first became a household name when she appeared on Big Brother in 2002. A decision she later revealed was to pay off her “traumatizing debt.”
Since then, the mother-of-one has made an incredible climb to the top.
She landed a gig presenting This Morning, and her role grew over the years.
Alongside Dermot O’Leary, the duo are extremely popular and Alison has interviewed Michael Buble, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman, among others.
She famously faked a wedding to The Rock on the show in 2017 during a hilarious interview, with him calling her his wife five years later.
Celebrating her 20th anniversary as host of the show, she said: “I’ve had the best 20 years. Every day was the best and I want to thank the viewers for watching. All I ever want is to make you guys happy.”
Popular couple: Alison has been given a presenting job on This Morning, which she has done for 20 years and presents on Fridays with Dermot O’Leary
Impressive: Earlier this year she presented the BAFTA Awards, an immersive experience offering access to all areas, as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony
Throwback: Alison first became a household name when she appeared on Big Brother in 2002, a decision she later revealed was because she wanted to pay off her ‘traumatizing debt’.
The TV personality has appeared in a number of pantomimes and British children’s television drama series, as well as securing brand deals such as signing up with WeightWatchers as their ambassador and collaborating with InTheStyle on a range of curve clothing.
Earlier this year she presented the BAFTA Awards, an immersive experience offering access to all areas, as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony.
She is back on TV this month as co-host of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, following the departure of Matt Lucas.
Matt confirmed in December that he had quit the show after three series, citing his heavy workload as the reason he quit Bake Off.