Alison Hammond has revealed that she applied to go to Big Brother to try to settle her ‘traumatizing’ debt.
The 47-year-old This Morning presenter rose to fame on the Channel 4 reality show in 2002, proving hugely popular and having an impressive television career.
And before going to the famous abode when faced with massive £3,000 in debt from her normal pre-fame job as a holiday manager, Alison recalled thinking it was a “good idea” to go on the show and win the prize in cash of £70,000.
Looking back: Alison Hammond has revealed that she applied to go to Big Brother to try to settle her ‘traumatizing’ debt
Talking to On Jessie Ware Table Manners Podcastshe said: ‘I was in Tunisia, representing, and everyone was reading the papers about Brian Dowling: Big Brother had won.
‘And they were like ‘you should go to Big Brother, you’d win it.’
“And at the time, I was like £3,000 in debt and at the time I was traumatized.”
Throwback: The 47-year-old This Morning presenter rose to fame on the Channel 4 reality show in 2002, proving hugely popular and having an impressive TV career.
Detailing her money woes before getting her big break at 27, Alison, who recently celebrated 20 years on This Morning, added: “Every time I got paid, I just couldn’t get the debt down.”
“So I thought it would be a good idea to win £70,000 on a TV show.”
Despite her gamble, Alison’s risk didn’t pay off immediately, missing out on the £70,000 winner’s prize fund and instead earning spending of just £30 a day after just two weeks at the show, which her friend Kate won. Lawler.
Hard time: Before going to the famous abode when facing huge debts of £3,000 at her normal pre-fame job as a holiday manager, Alison recalled believing it was a “good idea” to go on the show and win the £70,000 prize money (pictured in 2002)
Big plan: ‘I was in Tunisia, representing, and everyone was reading the papers about Brian Dowling: Big Brother had won. ‘And they were like ‘you should go to Big Brother, you’d win it’ (pictured, being evicted from Big Brother in 2002)
Since Big Brother, Alison landed a coming-out gig on This Morning, where she was eventually promoted to main host on Fridays with co-host Dermot O’Leary.
He’s also made several other television appearances, including I Can See Your Voice and Strictly Come Dancing, plus he also has branding deals with Crown Bingo and DFS Furnishings.
The turnaround in Alison’s fortunes was reflected in the recent revelation in October that she was mistakenly charged £10,000 to repair her car and didn’t realize the money was missing from her bank.
Success: Since Big Brother, Alison landed a hosting job on This Morning, where she was eventually promoted to lead host on Fridays with co-host Dermot O’Leary.
The TV presenter shocked This Morning viewers while hosting the show on Friday when she explained that the garage should have billed her £1,000 but took an extra £9,000 by mistake.
Announcer Alison recounted: ‘I checked my car. I paid for the service and didn’t realize until they called me that I had been charged £10,000. I had not checked my balance.
“They noticed a month later and called me to say they intended to collect £1,000, but instead collected £10,000.”
Vanishing cash: Alison Hammond, 47, was mistakenly charged £10,000 to repair her car and didn’t realize the money was missing from her bank
Expressing his gratitude for the mechanic’s honesty, he added: ‘I didn’t even realize it. That was good that they told me.
The story stunned his co-host Dermot O’Leary and guests Gyles Brandreth and Carol Vorderman and the trio’s jaws dropped.
Alison recalled her experience moments after she had discussed the cost of living crisis on ITV.
Mistake: The presenter shocked This Morning viewers while hosting the show as she explained the garage should have billed her £1,000 but took an extra £9,000 by mistake