“Being fat doesn’t make you funny and being thin doesn’t make you less funny," the British TV host said while discussing her physical transformation
Credit: Jeff Spicer/WireImage; Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
NEED TO KNOW
- Alison Hammond addressed rumors that she used Ozempic after losing more than 150 lbs.
- “I’m still overweight!” said the British TV host, who said she lost the weight after a pre-diabetes diagnosis
- Hammond explained that her weight loss has improved her energy and mental health — but hasn’t impacted her career success
Alison Hammond is shutting down rumors that she used a weight loss drug.
The British TV personality, 51, responded to an inquiry about the speculation — and “concern” — that followed her 150-lb. weight loss in a new interview with The Daily Telegraph published Saturday, April 4. Her answer? “I’m still overweight!”
“It makes me laugh when I see comments like ‘Alison is so skinny now’. I’m still overweight! I’m a size 20! I’m by far not at my ideal weight for my height,” Hammond said of the transformation in the wake of a pre-diabetes diagnosis. “But the main thing is my diabetes is now in the optimum range.”
“I like being bigger than everyone! I don’t want to take up less space in the world,” she told The Telegraph. “I want to fill that space.”
Hammond also directly addressed rumors that she used Ozempic or another weight loss drug to slim down, telling the British newspaper that she lost the weight naturally. The star, who weighed over 390 lbs. at her heaviest, said she has three different personal trainers and exercises multiple times a week. Her go-to workouts are Pilates, boxing and circuit training, and strength training.
The Great British Baking Show co-host also told the outlet that she finds the idea of using weight loss drugs "frightening," citing negative experiences.
She also doesn't let people's opinions about her physical transformation affect her.
“Listen. People are going to assume anything,” she told The Telegraph. “They weren’t happy with me being big; they weren’t happy with me being small. I was one point away from being diabetic, and my mom was diabetic, so I’d seen what a struggle it was.”
Up Next: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
“I literally needed to be able to walk up the stairs,” added Hammond.
The star, best known for her singular sense of humor and viral interviews, also spoke about whether she thinks her weight loss has — or will — have an effect on her career.
“Oh, that’s a really, really good question,” she told the outlet. “Being fat doesn’t make you funny and being thin doesn’t make you less funny.”
“The only thing I’ve noticed since becoming smaller is that I can take on more work,” she continued. “I don’t get as tired. My mental health’s better. I’m more nimble; I feel younger. But my career took off when I was a big girl, and my career is still great now that I’m smaller, so I think I’m accepted for who I am.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Credit: Luca Teuchmann/WireImage
Hammond said she refrains from giving her two cents when it comes to others’ appearances.
Asked about the recent increase in weight-loss transformations Hollywood, especially among female stars, “I just try not to comment on women’s bodies.”
The TV presenter continued: “When my mom lost a lot of weight while she was really ill with cancer, people were like, ‘Oo you’re looking great!’ And I was like, ‘Shut up! She’s literally dying!’ That really upset me.”
Before transitioning to her hosting career, Hammond made her TV debut on the British reality show Big Brother in 2002, and went on to appear in several more reality series.
She is currently working as a co-host on This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, and hosts a new music competition series called Your Song, which airs later this month.
Read the full article here
