I think shes gonna want a copy, Hammond tells her management team.
Are we sending some out to celebrities?
Jamelias first on the list.
I think shell like that.
Shes a real hun, she tells me.
We go to the same nail salon, by the way.
But dont look at my nails!
Hammond exclaims, cos theyre all…
I really need a new set.
Though shes sadly not confirmed a collab with fellow Brummie Jamelia yet, Hammond has always loved to perform.
It was my escape really.
Where I could scream, shout, dance, do what I want, cartwheels!
I was obsessed with doing cartwheels.
You know I cant do a cartwheel anymore, Im absolutely devastated.
I can still do the splits though, she footnotes.
I found out the other day I can make my arms go all the way back, she adds.
I can take a broom and take it all the way around the back.
Later, she worked as a holiday rep and cinema usher before auditioning for the third series ofBig Brother.
She nearly whacked him over the head with her microphone because she was so nervous.
But ever since, shes been the daytime shows most lovable agent of chaos.
The secret is that theres no secret!
laughs Hammond when I ask her how she seems to become best mates with almost everybody she interviews.
Ive got a good smile, she adds, that gets them every time.
I cant even watch that one.
She urged viewers to educate themselves about the realities of Britains history of colonialism and racism.
This moment inspired Hammond to make her first documentary,Back To School,two years ago.
I dropped out in the end, and ended up just doing performing arts.
I only got one A-Level, she tells me.
Its only now that Im getting really into history, she says.
Ivory Bangle Woman, for instance a wealthy Northern African woman whose remains were discovered in 2010.
Ivory Bangle Woman is her favourite historical hun, Hammond tells me.
Shes fierce and shes got all the jewellery that I want, to be fair.
In real life, my favourite hun would probably be Josie Gibson, I do love her.
And Kate Lawler, shes a hun.
Is she aware of the account?
Im really aware of them, I think theyre amazing!
They sent me an Easter egg this year.
I was very flattered that everyone voted me an Easter Hunny.
Id love to meet @loveofhuns.
They must be just sitting there thinking… right, and what does hun stand for?
What is a hun?
She takes a moment to ponder further.
But I do know that Im iconic, you know what I mean?
she adds, before erupting into another of her trademark cackles.
I do know Im iconic, she concludes.
And I love that Im a hun.
Alison HammondsBlack In Timeis published by Penguin and is available to buy now.
This article was originally published onJune 9, 2022
