Alison Hammond broke down in uncontrollable tears as she admitted how obesity has had a devastating effect on her confidence, live on Friday’s This Morning.

The TV personality, 47, insisted she ‘can’t help’ having the disease and feels people ‘look down’ on her, before being consoled by her co-host Dermot O’Leary.

Alison – who previously confessed she was at her heaviest when weighing over 20st and at dress size 28 – began: ‘When you’re big, people think you’re lazy.

Tragic: Alison Hammond broke down in uncontrollable tears as she admitted how having obesity has had a devastating effect on her confidence, live on Friday's This Morning
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Tragic: Alison Hammond broke down in uncontrollable tears as she admitted how having obesity has had a devastating effect on her confidence, live on Friday’s This Morning

‘I’ve had obesity all my life. What it is is, your regulation system is out of whack. You can’t control wanting to eat all the time.

‘A lot of people don’t realise – obesity is a disease. You can’t help it.

‘Sorry. I get… I think people look down on people when they’re so big. They can’t actually help it.

‘It’s really difficult. You want all the bad things and you know you don’t look great. Sorry. It really touches me. The NHS need to see it more as a disease.’

Kind friend: The TV personality, 47, insisted she 'can't help' having the disease and feels people 'look down' on her, before being consoled by her co-host Dermot O'Leary
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Kind friend: The TV personality, 47, insisted she ‘can’t help’ having the disease and feels people ‘look down’ on her, before being consoled by her co-host Dermot O’Leary

Opening up: She began: 'When you're big, people think you're lazy'
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Opening up: She began: ‘When you’re big, people think you’re lazy’

Awful: 'I've had obesity all my life. What it is is, your regulation system is out of whack. You can't control wanting to eat all the time'
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Awful: ‘I’ve had obesity all my life. What it is is, your regulation system is out of whack. You can’t control wanting to eat all the time’

The heartbreaking confession was brought on by a phone call to the programme’s agony aunt Deidre Saunders, who was being asked for advice about their 17-year-old daughter’s food problems.

After the break, the former Big Brother contestant apologised to viewers for her teary-eyed admission, before Dermot warned: ‘Don’t you dare say sorry.’

It wasn’t long before adoring fans rushed to Twitter to flood Alison’s feed with their support. They wrote:

Teary-eyed: 'A lot of people don't realise - obesity is a disease. You can't help it'
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Teary-eyed: ‘A lot of people don’t realise – obesity is a disease. You can’t help it’

Candid: 'Sorry. I get... I think people look down on people when they're so big. They can't actually help it'
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Candid: ‘Sorry. I get… I think people look down on people when they’re so big. They can’t actually help it’

Emotional: The heartbreaking confession was brought on by a phone call to agony aunt Deidre Saunders (right), who was being asked for advice about food problems
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Emotional: The heartbreaking confession was brought on by a phone call to agony aunt Deidre Saunders (right), who was being asked for advice about food problems

What causes obesity?

The NHS lists the below as causes of obesity

– Poor diet: This could include eating a lot of fast food, drinking too much alcohol or regularly eating out.

– Lack of physical activity: Eating more calories than you burn in a day will lead to weight gain.

– Genetics: There is some evidence genes are involved in obesity, they say, but they do not make it impossible to lose weight

– Medical reasons: Conditions including an underactive thyroid can make people more likely to gain weight.

‘You are such an amazing person. You always make me laugh when I’m very low. You are an incredibly supportive and caring person. You always light up the room. I’m so pleased what you said earlier. You will have touched so many people, in so many ways, me included.’

‘Your personality is what makes you AMAZING! Forget the haters who shame on you as YOU are you and don’t ever change that. Just because the Adeles of the world lose mass weight and make it look easy, doesn’t mean we all need to also. Big big loves sister ♥️♥️.’

‘It is a shame-based illness so it is wonderful that @AlisonHammond spoke about it … Helping us all to feel the stigma a bit less xx.’

‘You’re so beautiful! My heart goes out to you! I’m watching @thismorning and I share your pain! And you’re not an ugly crier! ⭐️.’

Back in 2019, Alison was throwing herself into exercise as she documented her weight loss journey, hailing the gym her ‘happy place’ in new social media posts.

The presenter was announced as an ambassador for WW (formerly Weight Watchers) earlier that year and kept fans updated with her health and fitness journey.

Taking to Instagram, the TV star shared photos of her latest ‘heart-pumping’ exercises and thanked personal trainer Ellis Gatfield for making their sessions ‘truly fun’.


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Incredible: It wasn't long before adoring fans rushed to Twitter to flood Alison's feed with their support

Incredible: It wasn’t long before adoring fans rushed to Twitter to flood Alison’s feed with their support

She wrote: ‘Sometimes someone will come into your life and change it forever. Thanks for being a great friend @ellisgatfield. You have introduced another world to me where exercise truly has become fun.’

At the start of her journey, Alison said she felt embarrassed by her 20st frame before wowing fans with her weight loss, as captured in Instagram snaps and videos.

Followers and famous friends have all commented on the results of Alison’s weight loss journey so far, with many saying the TV personality has never looked better.

The presenter also snapped a picture of herself taking time out from the routine
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Well done: Back in 2019, Alison was throwing herself into exercise as she documented her weight loss journey, hailing the gym her ‘happy place’ in new social media posts

In a bid to encourage others, Alison shared videos of the exercises given to her by Ellis. Her clips received further praise from followers.

One fellow WW member writing: ‘Well done, we have to enjoy the exercise and we are more likely to continue.’

A second added encouragingly: ‘Keep going it will be worth it.’

Jaw-dropping: The presenter was announced as an ambassador for WW (formerly Weight Watchers) earlier that year and kept fans updated with her health and fitness journey
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Having a blast! Taking to Instagram, the TV star shared photos of her latest 'heart-pumping' exercises and thanked personal trainer Ellis Gatfield for making their sessions 'truly fun'
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Jaw-dropping: The presenter was announced as an ambassador for WW (formerly Weight Watchers) earlier that year and kept fans updated with her health and fitness journey

Alison also revealed details of the best meals she has discovered through WW.

Speaking about her decision to overhaul her lifestyle, she said previously: ‘My WW journey is focused on getting healthier for myself. I feel rubbish when I don’t eat properly or exercise and WW helps me with what I eat and do.

‘I know I’ll also lose weight by following the WW programme, but that’s not the be-all and end-all for me.

‘I want my journey to empower others to think about making changes to their lifestyle to become the best version of themselves.’

Before: The TV presenter, pictured in October 2017, said she wanted to put her health first. She has been delighting followers by sharing behind-the-scenes food and exercise tips online
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After: Alison shared this stunning photo of herself in a yellow dress on Instagram. The TV presenter was announced as a WW ambassador in April 2019 and certainly saw results (pictured in June 2019)
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Woah: Alison shared this stunning photo of herself in a yellow dress on Instagram. The TV presenter was announced as a WW ambassador in April 2019 and certainly saw results (pictured left in October 2017, and right in June 2019)