ICING ON THE CAKE 'MY MUM WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE ME WIN THIS AWARD'

THIS MORNING'S ALISON HAMMOND ON BEING A TRAILBLAZER, MISSING HER MOTHER AND HER NEW ROLE ON THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

- JULIE ANN TRAINOR

For anyone wondering what is the secret to Alison Hammond’s success, one look at her Instagram page will tell you. Last week, the presenter –whose career has been on a steady ascent since she appeared on Big Brother in 2002 – showed it’s her kindness and fighting spirit that keep her at the top of her game, regardless of what life throws at her.

Posting a video of herself smiling at the camera, the 48-year-old accompanied an Instagram clip with a voiceover that said, “You want to know four main reasons why I will always win? I don’t hate on nobody, I pray, I stay in my own lane, and I’m not competing with nobody except for myself.”

Alison’s post came after one the most stressful periods of her life, and the relief she feels now her secret trauma is out in the open is clear to see. Until two weeks ago, it looked like 2023 had been Alison’s best year yet. She was a big hit at January’s BAFTAs, which she co-presented with Richard E Grant; she’s been snapped up to take Matt Lucas’ place on The Great British Bake Off; and two weeks ago, she won the Media Champion In the Public Eye award at the Burberry British Diversity Awards, at Grosvenor House, London.

But while Alison told us at the event that it was an “absolute honour” to receive the accolade, she was secretly dealing with a terrifying blackmail plot, where an unnamed man was threatening to “tell lies” and “ruin” her career if she didn’t give him money.