She’s one of TV’s most in-demand and popular stars, and as Alison Hammond prepares to enter a new decade, she admits that she’s in a ‘very happy place’. The This Morning presenter – who turns the big 5-0 next week – certainly has a lot to celebrate. As well as filming an exciting new BBC travel series in Florida with her son Aidan, 19, she’s also loved-up with her Russian masseur boyfriend David Putman, 27, who she’s been dating since December 2023.
Here, Alison chats to heat about her milestone birthday, embracing her natural self and why working with Aidan was the most special TV project she’s ever done…
You’re turning the big 5-0 next week. How are you feeling?
I am going into a new decade and I feel good – I am in a happy place. All my life is looking wonderful.
Do you have any special plans for it?
On the day, I am going to chill out at home – there is no place like home for me at the moment. I am going to relax, eat cake, maybe make a phone call to This Morning to say ‘good morning’ to Ben and Cat, chill out and enjoy being 50. It’s also Aidan’s birthday on my birthday and he will be 20, so he’s going into a new decade too.
Your 50th year is already starting with a bang, as you’ve got a brand new BBC2 travel series in Florida with Aidan. Tell us more?
We’ve been to Florida so many times and we have fallen into the trap of doing the same things over and over again, and I wanted to know if there was anything more to Florida than just theme parks. I also wanted to research and find things you can do on a budget there. In this series, people will get to see another beautiful side to Florida. You also get to see my relationship with Aidan.
Is this the most special TV project you’ve ever worked on?
Oh gosh yes! You get to see the love between Aidan and I. With a teenager, they don’t really want to spend time with their parents, so the fact I get to spend time with him is really special. Aidan is the one person who really makes me laugh. I trust him implicitly. I have always said we’re like twins, but different generations. He is a chilled-out carbon copy of me! My biggest achievement is Aidan. I feel proud that I have been successful in bringing him up to be a nice human being.
This Morning, Bake Off, For the Love of Dogs and now this… you must be pleased to be part of such a wide variety of TV shows?
Yes, I have always been someone who is open to working with every channel. There is so much stuff I enjoy doing. If it makes me happy, I will do it and I am all over it. If it doesn’t bring joy or happiness, I won’t do it. I am at that stage now where I only do what makes me happy.
You recently posted a make-up free selfie which went viral. Were you amazed by the positive reaction?
It was unbelievable. I can remember a producer once telling me you should never post without your ‘face’ (full of make-up) on. I thought, ‘Why does it have to be like that?’ It’s ok to accept who you are. The irony of it is I feel most comfortable without make-up. I love going out without any on. Not only do I get it on everyone’s clothes when I give them a hug or a kiss, but it’s good to be free and who you genuinely are.
Finally, is there anything you’d love to do in the next decade?
In the next ten years, I want to travel the world. I would love to take a year off and just go and travel. Not just yet, but one day. I need to see the world before I die!
Alison Hammond: Florida Unpacked airs weekdays on BBC2 at 6.30pm. You can also download episodes on the BBC iPlayer