Comedian and television presenter Judi Love has opened up about the frequent experience of being mistaken for another well-known Black woman on British screens: fellow ITV star Alison Hammond.
'You're Alison Hammond today'
In a candid interview with The Guardian, the 45-year-old Loose Women panellist explained that the case of mistaken identity is a persistent issue. "I'm also constantly called the wrong name," Love stated. "Confused for another Black woman. It doesn't matter how rich or successful I am: bitch, you're Alison Hammond today."
She emphasised that her professional achievements do not shield her from this recurring confusion, highlighting a broader issue of representation and perception within the UK's television industry.
Balancing fame with family life
Love also spoke about the unique challenges of managing a demanding TV career while being a single parent. She detailed the logistical pressures, stating that even after a late filming finish or a performance requiring hours of travel, she must ensure she is home before her children wake up.
"If I'm not, nobody else is," she said. The comedian revealed that managing the associated guilt is one of her hardest tasks, sometimes wondering if her children will later feel she "missed everything."
From social care to the Palladium
Before finding fame on television, Judi Love worked in social care, a field she felt drawn to due to her own background. She was raised in east London by women of the Windrush generation, who often worked as nurses, social workers, cleaners, or carers.
"Those were the jobs they were allowed to have when they came… For me, that always seemed the natural thing," Love recalled. Her personal experience with social services, following her mother's dementia diagnosis, further cemented her understanding of the sector.
Love's rise in entertainment has been significant. Beyond her daily role on Loose Women, she impressed audiences on MasterChef in 2020, finishing in third place, competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, and appeared on Taskmaster in 2022. A major career milestone came in 2024, when she became the first Black British female comedian to sell out the London Palladium.
She is now preparing for a nationwide tour with her new show, Judi Love: All About the Love, which will run from 12 February to 24 May next year.
Alison Hammond, the presenter she is often confused with, is a 50-year-old television personality who first found fame as a 2002 Big Brother contestant and is now a beloved host on ITV's This Morning.
