Alison Hammond: Defying Critics with Strength and Grace

Alison Hammond, the vibrant star of This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, has long been a beacon of joy on British television. At 50, her infectious laughter and unapologetic authenticity have made her a national treasure, but her journey has been punctuated by harsh public scrutiny, particularly around her weight. Recent rumors of criticism for pregnancy-related weight gain and a fiery response to ex-husband Noureddine Boufaied have set social media abuzz, yet no evidence supports these claims. Instead, Alison’s real-life story of battling weight-shaming, embracing self-love, and nurturing her bond with son Aidan is what truly captivates fans, proving her resilience is the real storm sweeping social media.

Rising Above the Noise

Born on February 5, 1975, in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, Alison grew up in Kingstanding, where her mother’s relentless work ethic inspired her drive. Unable to attend drama school due to financial constraints, she seized her moment on Big Brother in 2002, where her charisma shone despite an early eviction. This launched her career on This Morning, where she’s now a lead presenter, and roles on The Great British Bake Off (2023–present) and For the Love of Dogs (2024–present). Her authenticity—laughing off live TV mishaps or sharing her grief over her mother’s 2020 passing—has made her a fan favorite.

Alison’s openness about her weight has invited both support and criticism. In 2022, she broke down on This Morning, admitting obesity’s devastating impact on her confidence, saying, “I can’t help having obesity” (Daily Mail, 2022). A 2022 caller’s veiled fat-shaming during a dating segment sparked fan outrage, with X posts declaring, “Alison’s a queen, haters back off!” Her 2023 response to Cliff Richard’s insensitive size comment on This Morning—a poised deflection—earned praise for its grace. These moments highlight her strength against body-shaming, a recurring challenge she’s faced with humor and dignity.

No Pregnancy, No Problem

Rumors of Alison facing criticism for weight gain during a pregnancy are unfounded. No credible sources, including recent web results, confirm a 2025 pregnancy. Alison has expressed a desire for more children, telling Hello! in 2021, “I wish I had three more… I’ve got so much love to give,” and hinting at adoption in 2024 (Closer Online). However, her focus remains on her career and son Aidan, with no pregnancy-related weight criticism reported. The notion of a “tough response” to Noureddine Boufaied is equally unsupported, as their interactions are limited to amicable co-parenting, with no public disputes noted.

Alison’s weight journey is real and inspiring. After a pre-diabetic diagnosis, she lost 11 stone, dropping from size 28 to 17 by 2024, through diet, exercise, and personal training, not Ozempic, as she clarified in Daily Mail (2024)., Her transformation, motivated by her late mother’s health warnings, has been celebrated, with fans on X posting, “Alison’s glowing, what an inspiration!” While she’s faced weight-related trolling, like backlash over a 2024 gifted safari park stay (Daily Mail), no pregnancy-specific criticism has surfaced, making the rumored social media storm a fabrication.

Aidan and Noureddine: A Family Bond

At the core of Alison’s life is her son, Aidan, born in 2005 to Noureddine Boufaied, a Manchester taxi driver. Though their marriage ended—Alison clarified they were engaged, not married, on Rosebud (2023)—they maintain a positive co-parenting relationship. Aidan, now 20, is close to his father’s family, including half-siblings, as Alison noted in Hello! (2021). A 2021 TikTok featuring Alison, Aidan, and Noureddine went viral, with fans mistaking Noureddine for Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet, commenting, “Is that Marti Pellow?!” (Daily Mail, 2024)., Captioned “Aidan is certainly here! Our Son #viral,” the post showcased their pride in Aidan, not conflict.

Aidan’s support for Alison is unwavering. Described as her “yin to my yang” in Good Housekeeping (2024), he offers advice on relationships and keeps her grounded. His appearance at the 2021 Pride of Britain Awards and a 2020 This Morning cooking segment highlighted their bond. At the 2024 MBCC Awards, Alison’s emotional apology to Aidan for her busy career—“I love you so much, son, it was all for you”—moved audiences (Daily Mail, 2024). While Aidan hasn’t publicly addressed weight criticism, his approval of Alison’s boyfriend, David Putman, shows his protective role, as noted on Parenting Hell (2024).

Love with David Putman

Alison’s romance with David Putman, a 27-year-old Russian masseur, has been a bright spot since late 2023. Meeting during a £150 massage, their friendship turned romantic, despite a 22-year age gap. Public since April 2024, they’ve faced scrutiny, including disapproval from David’s mother (The Sun, 2024), but Alison dismisses “toyboy” labels, saying, “We fit like a jigsaw” (Good Housekeeping, 2024). Aidan’s rare approval—Aidan “hates anybody I date,” Alison told Parenting Hell—has bolstered her confidence. A September 2024 Mirror report hinted at marriage talks, with Alison “never happier” (Daily Record, 2025).

Her emotional side surfaced on This Morning in November 2024, when she teared up discussing David’s kindness, saying, “This is making me emotional!” No evidence suggests David gifting a baby present or Alison mentioning another man, as earlier rumors claimed. Her mentions of Noureddine are positive, like calling him a “lovely guy” on Rosebud (2023), with no hint of a stormy response.

Social Media’s Real Storm

Social media amplifies Alison’s triumphs, not fabricated drama. Her weight loss posts, like a December 2024 leopard-print dress photo (Daily Mail), drew praise: “Alison, you’re a bombshell!” Fans defend her against trolls, as seen in 2022’s fat-shaming backlash, and celebrate her happiness with David, with X posts like “Alison’s glow is everything!” Her 2024 MBCC Awards speech, urging others to be “unashamedly you,” went viral, reflecting the real storm: her empowering authenticity.

Alison’s resilience against weight criticism mirrors her response to other challenges, like 2024’s safari park backlash or age-gap scrutiny. Her focus on health, not societal pressure, drives her, as she told Nottinghamshire Live (2024): “I’m healthier than ever.” The absence of pregnancy or Noureddine-related drama doesn’t diminish her impact; her strength in real battles fuels her social media storm.

A Legacy of Empowerment

As Alison navigates her 50s, her career thrives with This Morning, Bake Off, and a BBC travelogue with Aidan airing in 2025 (Daily Mail, 2024). Her openness about past commitment fears—“marriage gives me cold feet,” she admitted on Rosebud (2023)—and her growing comfort with David signal evolution. Whether or not she expands her family, Alison’s story is one of defying critics with grace, loving fiercely, and living authentically. Her Birmingham home, shared with Aidan, friend Jason, and dog Bobby, reflects her unconventional warmth (The Mirror, 2024). As she told the MBCC Awards, “Don’t let anyone hold you back.” That’s the storm fans celebrate—a woman unapologetically herself, thriving against all odds.