Alison Hammond's Christmas plans are tinged with sadness.
The TV star has opened up about her plans for a festive family blowout in memory of her late mum, and she's also got a mega birthday celebration on the cards. The much-loved Bake Off and This Morning presenter lost her mum Maria to lung and liver cancer in January 2020, but the tragedy has brought her family even closer.
Alison, who's about to hit the big 5-0, spilled the beans: "When our mum passed, that brought my sister and me a lot closer. So we'll be spending Christmas together and everyone – her, me, my son, nieces, nephews – is bringing different food to my place for a big Christmas buffet. And then in February I'll be 50, so I thought maybe a 70s-themed party? Or an 80s one? Or maybe Bridgerton? Or... what about all three?"
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While chatting about her debut novel 'Bombshell', which charts the life of Madison who's left gobsmacked when her hubby does a runner, Alison revealed there's more than a hint of autobiography in the tale. Just like her character, she's "big, curvy, black, sassy and a mum," and both have a thing for younger men – Alison's real-life beau is just 27!
Facing the Radio Times' curiosity, she laughed off any direct parallels: "I know what you're playing at! My boyfriend David is 27 [Hammond is 49] – but no, I didn't even know David when I was writing the book."
She added, "And in fact this book is really about women supporting women. I've had strong women support me all my life – especially my sister and my mum.", reports the Mirror.
"In Bombshell there are a few moments that are a little bit emotional where Madison's mum [who has died of cancer] sends her some guidance; and there are times when I feel that my mum is giving me words of wisdom, too. When someone close passes on, you always remember how they talk, and I know what Mum would have said about some things, too, so I do sometimes hear her speaking to me."
Alison opened up about her relationship with boyfriend David Putman for the first time in May this year. She's been smitten with the Russian masseur since she booked him for a £150 massage and they clicked at the end of last year.
Her son Aiden even gives their relationship his stamp of approval. During an appearance on the Parenting Hell podcast, Alison was asked about her relationship status and responded: "No! I'm not single, I'm dating! I'm dating."
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