He first became a household name when he appeared on Big Brother in 2002, a decision he later revealed was due to wanting to pay off his “traumatic debt.”
And Alison Hammond, 48-year-old mum-of-one, has enjoyed an incredible rise to the top since those fun-filled days, hosting the BAFTAs on Sunday night alongside Richard E. Grant, 65.
Now a beloved presenter of This Morning, co-hosting with Dermot O’Leary, 49, Alison has increased her earning potential with fashion deals and voice-over work.
He’s also starred in more reality shows, appearing on I’m A Celebrity in 2010 and Celebrity Masterchef in 2014 and Celebrity Fit Club to name a few.
As of 2023, the TV star is estimated to be worth between £2-4 million, a far cry from the days when he was struggling to make ends meet.
She is also happy in her personal life, having found love with landscape gardener Ben Hawkins almost two years ago.
MailOnline takes a look at his incredible rise to become a national treasure and TV superstar…
2002: BIG BROTHER
Flashback: Alison applied to Big Brother in 2002 to try to settle her ‘traumatizing’ debt, but she could never have predicted how her stint on the show would change her life.
Alison applied to Big Brother to try to pay off her “traumatic” debt, but she could never have predicted how her time on the show would completely change her life.
The popular TV star was a holiday rep when she appeared on the Channel 4 reality show in 2002, proving hugely popular.
Alison admitted that she had run up huge debts of £3,000 at her normal job before fame and recalled believing it was a “good idea” to go on the show and win the £70,000 prize.
Speaking on On Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast in 2022, he 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, he was in debt of like £3,000 and at the time he was traumatized.
‘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.
However, it was truly memorable and had an iconic television moment when he fell through a patio table after jumping on it to detect security over the wall.
2002: THIS MORNING
Having fun: Alison co-hosts This Morning with Dermot O’Leary and the pair regularly break into a laugh
Cute couple: Made famous with a fake wedding to The Rock on the show in 2017 during a hilarious interview, and he referred to her as his wife five years later
Despite not winning Big Brother, Alison landed a gig hosting This Morning, and her role grew over the years.
Along with Dermot O’Leary, the duo are hugely popular and Alison has interviewed the likes of Michael Buble, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman.
She became famous for a fake wedding to The Rock on the show in 2017 during a hilarious interview, and he referred to her as his wife five years later.
When she celebrated her 20th anniversary as the show’s host, she said: ‘I’ve had the best 20 years. Every day has been the best and thanks to the viewers for watching. All I want to do is make them happy.
Host Holly Willoughby said: ‘Alison, that’s exactly what you do. You make everyone so happy all the time. Whoever is around you, you are so contagious with your spirit and joy. We love you.’
Phillip Schofield added: “She is without a doubt one of the best friends you could have. She is an amazing person.
Holly and Phillip led the tributes from the studio at the time with touching video messages from the likes of Dermot O’Leary, Rylan Clark, Strictly Come Dancing star Aljaz Škorjanec, Rick Astley, former Big Brother host Davina McCall and even Alison’s teenage son, Aiden. .
2002: ACTING CAREER
Who knows? She appeared as an actress in the British children’s television drama series The Dumping Ground in 2016, based on the books by Jacqueline Wilson.
Alison actually went to drama school and appeared in a show called Palace Hill from 1988 to 1990, proving that she was always meant for the TV screen.
But her acting career began to take off after she appeared in Big Brother, helping her land a brief role in Doctors in 2002.
The star has even appeared in pantomimes in such productions as Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.
After that, she appeared in the British children’s television drama series The Dumping Ground in 2016, based on the books by Jacqueline Wilson.
The show, from the Tracy Beaker franchise, focuses on the lives and experiences of young people living in a children’s home with their caregivers.
In 2018, Alison made her Hollywood debut in the animated film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.
2008: PRESENT DAY – SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS
Making big money: 2022 was a big year for the in-demand star who went on to secure deals with NatWest and Sainsbury’s (pictured), starring alongside the voice of Stephen Fry
Alison is now worth between £2 and 4 million and it’s easy to see how she has monetized her success through advertisements and endorsement deals.
In 2008, he became the face of Crown Bingo.
Four years later. She started working as a brand ambassador at the DFS furniture company and seven years later, she signed up as an ambassador for WeightWatchers.
In 2020 she began working on a campaign with Asda and a year later she collaborated with InTheStyle on a curvy clothing line.
She announced the news on Instagram at the time saying: ‘This fall is an exclusive curvy collection, with pieces available in sizes 12-30 with options for petite and tall! Let me know what looks you love!’
In 2021, Alison released an autobiography called ‘You’ve Got To Laugh: Stories From A Life Lived To The Fullest’.
2022 was a big year for the in-demand star who went on to secure deals with NatWest and Sainsbury’s, starring alongside the voice of Stephen Fry.
2010: MORE REALITY TV
Here comes the step by step: Alison competes in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 on BBC One
In 2010, Alison appeared as a contestant on the tenth season of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! but she, sadly, she was the fourth contestant to leave the show.
She has also appeared on Celebrity Fit Club, Celebs Under Pressure, and Big Star’s Little Star. Alison has also appeared on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, performing as Nina Simone, and on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating.
In 2014, Alison took part in the ninth series of Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One, before she was asked to compete in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 on BBC One.
He teamed up with dance professional Aljaž Škorjanec but, despite their popularity, they were eliminated in the seventh week of competition, finishing tenth.
In 2020, Alison appeared as a celebrity guest on the game show The Wheel on BBC One.
2021: MAKING HISTORY
Hold on: In 2021, Alison made history by being the first black TV presenter to be shortlisted for an NTA award, though she sadly didn’t win.
In 2021, Alison made history by being the first black TV presenter to be shortlisted for an NTA award, though she sadly didn’t win.
She said it was about time the most diverse presenters were recognized at the award ceremony.
Alison was the sixth woman to be nominated in the category.
She said before the awards that if she “won it, she would win it for all people of color” and that it “means the world that people voted for her.”
Adding: ‘I think it’s absolutely wonderful and about time. For me, it’s about the fact that people voted for me.
‘People watching me on TV actually voted for my little me! It just means a lot and I just want to thank everyone who voted. It really means the world.
Asked if he feels this will pave the way for more diverse presenters to be recognized, he said: “I really, really hope so, I feel like change is happening, it’s slow though.”
“But for me, I never dared to dream that big, this was never on my radar to be in this category. Maybe I have to make my dreams a little bigger now!’
2023: ACCOMMODATION OF THE BAFTAS
Glitterati: Alison hosted the BAFTA Studio on Sunday night, an immersive, all-access experience, as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony
Alison hosted the BAFTA Studio on Sunday night, an immersive, all-access experience, as part of BBC One’s broadcast of the ceremony.
The former Big Brother star dazzled in a floor-length black dress for the occasion, with the garment embellished with sparkling sequins.
He was in good company on the night with Cate Blanchett, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Lily James, Billie Piper and Maya Jama in attendance.
While actor Richard E. Grant, 65, hosted the main ceremony tonight, Alison hosts Bafta Studio.
“We are going to have a lot of fun bringing the glitz and glamor of backstage to everyone watching from home around the world.
“From hanging out with the stars to celebrating the biggest night in movies to joining in discussions with movie fans, be prepared for only good vibes.”