Alison Hammond says she planning a big family Christmas as the death of her mother has brought them all closer - and she also has a big birthday bash planned for the new year.
The Bake Off and This Morning host's mum Maria Hammond died in January 2020 after a battle with lung and liver cancer And Alison, 49, said: “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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Dave Benett/Getty Images)Alison was being interviewed about her new debut novel Bombshell, which follows the life of a woman called Madison is left blindsided after her husband suddenly leaves her. Alison admits Madison is not too disimilar to herself as she is "big, curvy, black, sassy and a mum" and Madison also ends up dating a 27-year-old man - as she is doing in real life.
Quizzed about the characters she told Radio Times: "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.
"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.
"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 [who also died of cancer, in 2020] 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 spoke about her boyfriend David Putman for the first time in May this year. She has been dating the Russian masseur since she booked him for a £150 massage and hit it off at the end of last year. The relationship even has the seal of approval from her son Aiden.
Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast Alison was asked if she was single and replied: "No! I'm not single, I'm dating! I'm dating."
She was then asked by host Rob Beckett if that was more difficult dating with a teenage son.
Alison replied: "I think it's more difficult. I think he's more verbal now that he's older, he will wanna to know who this person is and he'll want to meet them.
"It's a lot harder, yeah. Because he'll wanna know that this guy is treating me well. The person that I'm seeing at the moment, he's like on his Instagram. He's like, 'Yeah, I like him. I like him. He's not too in your face.' Do you know what I mean? Aiden's on it.
"And when they actually met he really liked him, and really thought he was lovely. So I was like, 'Thank goodness for that,' because normally Aiden hates anybody I date. Literally just not interested.
"And you just know at that point, if Aiden doesn't like them, this isn't going to work."
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