Alison Hammond to debut own version of the ‘Hollywood Handshake’ after replacing Matt Lucas on Bake Off

Alison Hammond has teased a new version of the ‘Hollywood Handshake’ as she is set to join the next series of The Great British Bake-Off.

The television presenter, 48, from Kingstanding, Birmingham, was last month announced to be replacing Matt Lucas as the co-presenter alongside Noel Fielding.

The This Morning presenter will be joining Channel 4’s baking contest later in the year when the show returns to our screens.

Since her announcement Alison has revealed that she plans to have a “trademark thing” for the show to go alongside judge Paul Hollywood’s famous ‘Hollywood Handshake’.

During her appearance on Joe Lycett’s new show Late Night Lycett, Alison told the host: “Maybe anyone who does a really bad job, I’ll give them a Hammond Hug. Obviously everyone will be really rubbish as they’ll want a Hammond Hug.”

The show’s other host Prue Leith has also shared her personal reason behind her excitement for Alison to join The Great British Bake Off.

Since Sandi Toksvig left the show in 2019, Prue has been joined on the baking contest show by three men, including Paul Hollywood and presenters Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh) and Matt Lucas (Little Britain).

When talking to the Metro, The Great British Bake-Off judge shared her excitement of Alison Hammond’s new role, saying: “not only because of her character and her personality, but I like the fact she’s a woman.”

Prue added: “I love Matt Lucas and I’m sure we’ll be friends for life,” before continuing: “But the fact is, when there were three men and me, because there were numbers of them, they just got sillier and sillier and I never understand the jokes.”

Prue also said: “They can go into hysterics about the word sausage. They’re like four year olds.

“So, I’m looking forward to having a woman around.”

The other cast members for the baking contest have also come out in support of Alison joining the show, with Noel Fielding sharing on his social media: “We are gonna have an absolute blast together. I can’t wait. I’m buzzing. Two naughty kids together.”

The Great British Bake-Off is set to return for its 14th series in the Autumn.