It’s been quite the year for Alison Hammond.
First she won over Ruth and Eamonn fans after taking over their coveted Friday This Morning slot.
And now she’s made history as the National Television Awards’ first black nominee for Best TV presenter.
Anyone who’s watched her A-lister interviews will no doubt have the same reaction: “It’s about time.”
Not only was the public-voted shortlist well overdue a bit of diversity, but Alison was well overdue some proper recognition.
She’s been slogging it out on the This Morning sidelines since shooting to fame on the 2002 series of Big Brother.
And despite a rare and innate likeability, which reduced Harrison Ford to schoolgirl giggles and even got Victoria Beckham to crack a smile, it’s shockingly taken 20 years for Alison’s talents to be fully appreciated.
Only a few presenters, including the late and equally undervalued Caroline Flack, have that same natural and unteachable warmth.
Alison is just the sixth woman ever nominated in this category (and that’s even counting duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as two), and also the first to be plus-size.
In fact, she’s one of the only plus-size presenters TV bosses put on mainstream TV at all.
So congratulations to Alison for smashing so many records.
At this rate, even Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly - with their 19-year winning streak - might start shaking in their I’m A Celebrity hiking boots.
