Alison Hammond has firmly dismissed criticism surrounding the 22-year age gap between herself and boyfriend David Puttnam, making it clear that their relationship is nobody else’s business.
The This Morning presenter, 51, has been dating Russian model and massage therapist David Puttnam, 28, since 2023. While their romance has frequently attracted attention because of their age difference, Alison says the opinions of others have never influenced how they feel about one another.
Speaking candidly in a new interview, Alison also poured cold water on speculation that wedding bells could be in their future, insisting that the couple are perfectly happy without getting married.
“I’ve got a lovely man in my life,” she said. “It’s just easy. I think that’s when you know you’ve got something special. He just sees me for who I am. We choose each other, every day.”
Addressing the ongoing conversation about their 22-year age gap, Alison refused to let the criticism affect her happiness.
“It’s nothing to do with anyone else. Yeah, people are going to talk. People do. But that’s their business, not mine,” she said.
She also made it clear that marriage is not something they feel they need to prove their commitment.
“I don’t think there will be a wedding. We don’t need to! We’re both cool,” Alison added.
Her latest comments come as she continues to embrace a healthier lifestyle following a dramatic weight-loss journey.
The television favourite previously revealed that she once weighed around 30 stone before receiving a pre-diabetes warning, which became the turning point that motivated her to overhaul her health.
Over the past five years, Alison has worked consistently with a personal trainer while completely changing her relationship with food.
“I’ve had a personal trainer for five years, even when I was at my biggest. But I had a childish mentality with regards to food, especially toffees – but now I’ll only have a couple a day,” she explained.
“We’re not getting any younger, are we, babes? You realise at some point you’ve got to look after yourself. I’ve got a speaker under my pillow to play relaxing music, and a sleep tracker.”
Alison has previously admitted that learning she was pre-diabetic came as a huge shock, particularly because her mother suffered from Type 2 diabetes.
“My mum had Type 2 diabetes and she was worried for me, so when I then found out that I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening. I thought, ‘I have to be an adult about this’. The sweets had to stop, and the fatty foods,” she previously told Women’s Health.
To maintain her transformation, Alison has added Reformer Pilates, boxing and early-morning circuit training to her routine.
She admitted she initially turned to Pilates because she felt “as stiff as a board”, but quickly became a fan.
“You feel absolutely incredible after it. I really need a good stretch — so Reformer Pilates has been brilliant for me.
“I also do this early-morning circuit class from the brilliant Steve Hensel at Blue Zone. I’ll go at 6.30am and do a full hour, it’s a proper old-school gym.”
Although she’s embraced many new wellness habits, Alison joked there is one health trend she has no intention of repeating.
“I did try one of those cold plunge pools once — and absolutely not! It lasted about a minute. I was like, ‘Why am I literally trying to kill myself?'”
With her career flourishing, her health improving and her relationship stronger than ever, Alison says she is simply enjoying life on her own terms—regardless of what anyone else thinks.
