Alison teaches us a lesson in black history
BUBBLY and loud, with an infectious laugh, Alison Hammond is best known for her hilarious showbiz interviews and bonkers exploits on national television. But when the world saw those shocking images following the death of George Floyd in May, pushing the Black Lives Matter movement to the fore, we glimpsed a different side to the 45-year-old TV personality.
She gave an emotional speech on This Morning, saying through tears: “I’m a mother to a 15-yearold black boy. So when I saw that image of George Floyd, I saw my brothers, I saw my father, I saw my son. I saw everybody’s son, and I was disgusted to my core.”
Alison went on to say that people need educating on black history, and acknowledged that she too has plenty to learn.
It wasn’t long before an ITV producer snapped Alison up to front this documentary, as part of the channel’s programming for Black History month.
The insightful film sees Alison go on the ultimate school history trip, travelling across the country and back in time on a historical journey to discover some of the black figures whose stories have been hidden in Britain’s history.
A spotlight is thrown on people including the first Black Roman emperor Septimius Severus, British-jamaican nurse Mary Seacole, and Walter Tull, one of England’s first black footballers and the first black commissioned officer in the British army.
“Black people fought for this country, it makes me proud,” says Alison.
It’s an emotional tour, given in Alison’s own unique style.