Alison Hammond thinks her mum would be proud of her for presenting 'This Morning'.

Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond

The 46-year-old TV star - who lost her mother, Maria, last year after a battle with lung and liver cancer - has been co-hosting the ITV show on Fridays with Dermot O’Leary since January, but thinks the promotion was "bittersweet" as she couldn't share the news with her mum.

She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “'This Morning' was always a staple in our family home growing up. It’s so bittersweet to know that this has happened and she’s not here to see.

"Having said that, I do still feel her presence. It feels like my mum is still looking out for me in a strange way."

Alison shot to fame when she took part in the third series of 'Big Brother' in 2002 and was offered a reporting role on 'This Morning' later that year.

Maria was incredibly proud of Allison and had always enjoyed her daughter's celebrity lifestyle by accompanying her to showbiz events.

Alison added: "When I was younger she’d be the one getting out all the old video tapes showing everyone.

“She was totally my number one fan and was always mega proud of me. In a way I’m living my mum’s dream.”

Similarly, Alison's 16-year-old son, Aiden, encouraged her to take the presenting role on the long-running show.

Alison recalled: “When I was first asked about hosting ... I spoke to Aidan, and he said, ‘Mum, you can do it, I know you can, I believe in ya’.

“He had this big speech for me including things like, ‘Mum, you’ve gotta do it, Nanny would want you to do it.’ It was so lovely. I think he’s proud of me.”

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