Alison Hammond has broken down after revealing she was so strapped for cash when she first became famous that she couldn’t pay her mortgage.
The beloved TV host, 49, grew emotional as she reflected on the struggles early in her career in a new interview on Sunday.
The Birmingham-born actress rose to fame in 2002 after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother before taking small presenting roles on This Morning to support herself and her son Aidan, now 19.
But in 2007 he said he was struggling to get a job and had a tough time, and promised that if he ever found himself in that position again he would have no problem “getting a job at Tesco”.
She told him The Guardian:There was a time when I couldn’t pay my mortgage and I was very famous.
Alison Hammond has broken down after revealing she was so strapped for cash when she first became famous that she couldn’t pay her mortgage.
The beloved TV host, 49, grew emotional as she reflected on the struggles early in her career in a new interview on Sunday (seen last month).
Alison picked up a few shifts at her local hair salon during this time answering phones and doing blow-drys and told clients who recognised her that she was just “helping out”.
She added, as she began to cry, according to the publication: “Not everything is good all the time. But I was okay, you know?”
“That’s television, it’s fickle and it’s part of my journey, part of my power. I know I’ll be fine, because I’ve been fine before. I’ll go to work at Tesco and people will still love me.”
This comes after Alison revealed earlier this month that she will be releasing her debut novel later this year, which is based on a TV star’s relationship.
The star took to social media to reveal that the romantic comedy novel Bombshell will hit bookstores on November 7.
The story follows a character named Madison, who has given up her own dreams to support the career of her husband, a television heartthrob.
The novel may be a look at Alison’s own relationships; authors often draw on their own experiences when writing.
Alison began dating Russian masseur David Putman, 26, after booking him a £150 massage and the pair reportedly hit it off and are said to be “happier than ever”.
The Birmingham-born actress rose to fame in 2002 after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother before taking small presenting roles on This Morning to support herself and her son Aidan, now 19.
But in 2007 he said he was struggling to find work and had had a tough time, and promised that if he ever found himself in that position again he would have no problem “getting a job at Tesco”.
In a video posted to her Instagram Story, Alison said: ‘Hi everyone, I have some fantastic news for you.
“I’m publishing a new book. Yes! It’s coming out in November, in the fall. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
She continued: ‘My character is called Madison and she’s married to a TV hunk who’s absolutely gorgeous.
‘Anyway, he drops a huge bomb on Madison that turns her life upside down.
“She’s given up so much for her kids, for her career, it’s time to get her own self-worth back. I’m not going to tell you more, but it’s great.”
Alison’s co-presenter on This Morning, Dermot O’Leary, congratulated her on her new project, commenting: “About time!”
Meanwhile, last month it was revealed that the BBC wanted the former Big Brother star to host a new travel show.
Alison, who worked as a travel agent before finding fame on television, is said to have been offered the chance to host Florida Unpacked, a show in which she would explore the Sunshine State.
She told The Guardian: ‘There was a time when I couldn’t pay my mortgage and I was very famous.’
A source close to the show told The Sun: “This is an ongoing nightmare for ITV as they regard Alison as one of their biggest stars but she is increasingly working for their rivals.”
It is thought BBC bosses could even air the programme in the same time slot as ITV’s regular daytime show This Morning.
The source added: ‘The travel show is the latest tempting offer she has accepted, and BBC executives are delighted to be able to compete with ‘This Morning’.
“This could lead to a situation where Alison could be seen presenting the daytime magazine show on ITV and at the same time on BBC One.”
