On Your Marks, Get Set... Bake!

Christine Smith caught up with Alison, Prue, Noel and Paul for a chat about the latest Bake Off series which starts this week

- CHRISTINE SMITH 

 

This Morning's Alison Hammond is set to bring a lot of infectious fun to this year's Bake Off, says her new co-star Noel Fielding and she reveals it's been impossible to avoid tucking into the cakes!

In an interview together ahead of the return of the hit Channel 4 series, alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, TV's new dream team also predict it will be one of the best ever baking competitions with all of this year's bakers going the extra mile to try and win the prestigious show.

And for Alison (48), saying "no" to trying a little of what they had created was, she confides, too difficult.

"I've put on a stone this series," she admits, laughing. "I couldn't believe it. I am literally going running from tomorrow! You can't help it."

"Matt (Lucas, Alison's predecessor) ate everything on the first one as well," interjects Noel. "Me and Sandi (Toksvig) put on a stone in the first series too."

Alison smiles again as she jokes, "Matt said he would never do it again but I have not said anything. I am just going to get bigger!"

This infectious humour and Alison's good nature at being able to poke fun at herself are just some of the reasons there is a huge buzz around the return of the baking show.

It's clear her new co-stars love having Alison on the set.

"Alison's energy is really infectious," admits 50-year-old Noel. "She has got a big presence."

Prue comments, "She's such a life-enhancing ball of fire-she's fantastic. She hugs all the bakers. She can't be anything else but the loud, happy Brummie who loves people."