Alison Hammond's remarkable health transformation took center stage on This Morning as co-host Dermot O'Leary declared she looked like a “Bond girl.”
Opening Friday's episode, Hammond complimented O'Leary on his outfit, telling him he looked “absolutely lovely” in a grey cardigan and jeans. O'Leary quickly returned the favor, commenting on the 51-year-old's leopard-print tea dress.
“I feel underdressed next to you!” O'Leary, 53, joked. “You look like a Bond girl.”
A Dramatic Health Overhaul
The comment comes after Hammond's dramatic health transformation, which has seen her lose 11 stone over the past five years. The Bake Off presenter previously weighed around 30 stone before being told she was pre-diabetic — a warning that prompted her to reassess her habits.
She said a key turning point was recognizing what she described as a “childish mentality” towards food, particularly sweets.
“I've had a personal trainer for five years, even when I was at my biggest,” she told Radio Times. “But I had a childish mentality with regards to food, especially toffees – now I'll only have a couple a day.”
She added: “We're not getting any younger, are we? At some point you realise you've got to look after yourself.”
Fitness Routine and Balanced Eating
Hammond began her health overhaul around five years ago, working consistently with a personal trainer and gradually improving her fitness. Her routine now includes Reformer Pilates, boxing, and circuit training.
“I'm as stiff as a board, so Pilates has been brilliant for me,” she said. “You feel incredible afterwards.”
She also attends early morning circuit classes when she can, describing them as “proper old-school gym” sessions that leave her feeling “amazing.” Despite her disciplined routine, Hammond insists her approach to food is based on balance rather than restriction.
“I don't deny myself anything — I eat everything, but in moderation,” she said.
Health Scare as Motivation
Her decision to make changes was influenced in part by her family history, with her mother having Type 2 diabetes.
“When I found out I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening,” she previously told Women's Health. “I thought, ‘I have to be an adult about this.’ The sweets had to stop, and the fatty foods.”
Hammond has also spoken about choosing not to use weight-loss injections, despite their growing popularity.
“I think for people who need them, they're a good thing,” she told Good Housekeeping UK. “But for me, if I hear any scare story, I get frightened.”
She added that while she wouldn't rule them out in the future, her focus remains on sustainable lifestyle changes.
The presenter continues to share glimpses of her fitness journey on social media, recently posting a video of herself taking part in an intense boxing session.
