‘People are going to talk’: Alison Hammond gives rare insight into age gap relationship and truth behind marriage rumours
The presenter opens up about romance with partner 22 years her junior
Alison Hammond doesn't often speak about her relationship with partner David Puttnam, but has recently offered rare insight into their romance.
The 51-year-old presenter has been with her model and massage therapist boyfriend since 2023, and they have a 22-year age gap between them.
Talking about having a 29-year-old partner in midlife, Alison won't take on board any negativity. In conversation with The Mirror, the presenter shares, "It’s nothing to do with anyone else."
She continues, "Yeah, people are going to talk. People do. But that’s their business, not mine."
Speaking with adoration about David and what sounds like a supportive, uncomplicated relationship, Alison confirms, "It’s just easy. I think that’s when you know you’ve got something special."
Giving insight into their bond and respect for each other, Alison continues, "He just sees me for who I am. We choose each other, every day."
While there has been speculation the couple might have wedding bells on the horizon, Alison has a direct response when asked about marriage, putting the rumours to bed for good.
"I don’t think so. We don’t need to! We’re both cool," she reveals. While she doesn't want the official side of marriage, Alison does want a big party to observe their love.
"I just want the big day, so I'm going to have a big summer party," she tells Closer magazine, adding, "I'd love a blessing and celebration of love."
"I'm going to have the beautiful dress, the band, food and drink, everything," she reveals.
The presenter sweetly shares that she'd like her 21-year-old son Aiden to "give her away" on the day of the celebration.
Her This Morning co-star Dermot O'Leary might also have a role, after joking that he should be the one to give her away.
"Dermot keeps going on that he's giving me away. He's absolutely not giving me away," she explains, continuing, "He can be the flower boy who comes down and scatters flowing on the floor at the blessing. That's what he can do."
Not wanting the tradition of a formal marriage, it's no surprise that Alison would shun another aspect of being bound to someone else - taking their name.
"If I marry someone, I want him to take my name. Why does it have to be the other way round? I don't want to be owned by anybody," she says.
Speaking more about Dermot and the importance of their friendship, Alison reveals, "We’re genuinely good friends, and it shows - even though there were stories initially that we didn't get on."
Sharing the real story, she reveals, "Truth is, we adore each other. We’ve been to each other’s houses and our kids know each other… As with any relationship on TV, viewers just needed to let us find ourselves, too."
As for her relationship with David, her son Aiden has given it his seal of approval, something else that was so important for the presenter.
With candour, Alison reveals just what would've happened if Aiden didn't like David: "He’s the man of the house - if they didn’t get on, he wasn’t staying!"
