Alison Hammond says hosting the ‘The Great British Bake Off’ was like a “holiday”.
The ‘This Morning’ presenter felt “free” while co-hosting the Channel 4 baking competition, because she didn’t need to worry about "thinking politically", unlike when she fronts the ITV1 brunch-time show alongside the likes of Holly Willoughby, 42, and Dermot O’Leary, 50.
The 48-year-old television presenter told the Radio Times magazine: “It's like being on holiday, it's wonderful, free, and you feel safe.
“You don't have to think politically about anything. It's just a happy and safe show.”
Alison hadn't thought about going for the 'Bake Off' gig after her predecessor Matt Lucas, 49, departed to work on projects with his writing partner David Walliams, 52, until “Twitter went berserk” with the idea that she could co-host the show alongside Noel Fielding, 50.
She continued: “I never dreamt that big. I never allowed myself to dream this big."
Paul Hollywood, 57 - who hosts the show with Dame Prue Leith, 83 - revealed the ex ‘Big Brother’ star ate too much cake on the first installment, and she “felt a bit sick” as a result.
Paul said: “On the tour of the cakes in the first episode, Alison was a little bit over-exuberant and ate everything.
“She felt a bit sick at the end and said, 'I'm not doing that again'. Of course, she did the following week.”
The news that Alison would be co-presenting the programme was revealed in March, when the TV star interviewed herself in a viral video.
She said in the clip: "So yes it's breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the team of 'The Great British Bake Off'.
“Alison, have you got any words whatsoever? 'Well, do you know what I'm just absolutely thrilled, I'm going to be meeting the bakers very soon. I'm joining 'The Great British Bake Off', I'm so very excited!' "
Tagged in Holly Willoughby Alison Hammond Josie Gibson