Alison Hammond’s Experience Hosting GBBO: A Welcome Respite
After a bustling summer on This Morning, TV presenter Alison Hammond has candidly shared that hosting The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) felt like a “holiday.”
The 48-year-old presenter expressed her sense of feeling “safe” on GBBO, highlighting the contrast between the two shows. She emphasized that GBBO is akin to being on vacation, offering a sense of freedom and security where political considerations take a backseat.
It’s a cheerful and carefree show, according to Alison, where worries about political matters are left behind.
The Unexpected Opportunity: Alison Hammond’s Journey to GBBO
Earlier this year, it was announced that Alison Hammond would take over the role on GBBO, previously held by Matt Lucas, who departed from the beloved Channel 4 program.
Alison admitted that she only seriously considered pursuing the job when she witnessed the overwhelming response on Twitter regarding her replacing Matt.
She reflected on the enormity of the opportunity, sharing that she had never dared to dream so big before.
Hosting GBBO: Alison’s Experience and Insights
Joining co-host Noel Fielding, judges Paul Hollywood, and Prue Leith for this year’s series, Alison brought her own unique energy to the show.
Paul Hollywood humorously recounted an incident where Alison, during the cake tour in the first episode, enthusiastically sampled everything and felt a bit queasy afterward.
Despite her initial reluctance, she bravely took on the challenge the following week.
Noel Fielding, Alison’s co-host, shared that hosting alongside Alison was a more seamless experience compared to his partnership with Matt.
He explained that with Matt, who left to collaborate with David Walliams, finding their rhythm was a bit challenging due to their close friendship.
In contrast, Alison’s natural humor, free from the pressure to make jokes, made hosting effortless and full of laughter.
The Audition That Didn’t Involve Cake
Alison revealed that her audition for the GBBO hosting role was unconventional.
Instead of testing her baking skills, producers had her strike up conversations with strangers at a garden center to assess her ability to interact with different people.
It was an unusual audition experience, but one that led her to secure the coveted role.
The Excitement and Challenges Ahead
While Alison was thrilled to land the role, she had to keep the exciting news to herself for three weeks, except for one slip-up when she confided in her son, Aiden, aged 18.
Her inability to contain her excitement amused her, considering the confidentiality requirement.
The upcoming series of The Great British Bake Off is set to make its return to Channel 4 on Tuesday, September 26, promising another season of delightful baking challenges and camaraderie.