Alison Hammond has candidly discussed the profound emotional experience of working on Channel 4’s new show, Your Song. The programme features amateur singers sharing deeply personal stories through moving musical performances, often bringing Alison herself to tears.
Following the success of Channel 4’s The Piano, Your Song offers aspiring vocalists a similar platform to express their life journeys through song. Alison, 51, travels around the UK hosting spontaneous performances by everyday people whose song choices carry heartfelt significance.
With mentorship from Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder, standout performers will compete in a grand finale at the Hackney Empire, after kicking off in Liverpool. Known from This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, Alison originally joined the show to energize the audience. However, she soon found the experience far more emotionally intense than expected.
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“I’m a born singer, always have been. I love singing!” Alison shared with Closer magazine. “I was brought in to warm up the crowds and keep them entertained — I sang a bit of Angels and Mustang Sally.” Despite the upbeat atmosphere, Alison was deeply touched by the stories behind many performances.
“Certain songs really hit home emotionally. You get caught up in the story, and it’s exhausting but in a beautiful way. I didn’t expect to be so moved – I don’t really like crying on TV!” she admitted.
Alison’s connection to music runs even deeper due to personal tragedy. In January 2020, she lost her mother, Maria, to lung and liver cancer. The two shared a special memory attending West Side Story at the Birmingham Hippodrome, where the iconic song “Maria” holds great meaning for Alison.
“I absolutely loved it. When my mum passed, they had a choir sing that song as we carried her out in the casket,” she revealed. In tribute, a front-row seat at the Hippodrome was dedicated in Maria’s honor.
Your Song airs on Channel 4 on Saturday, April 11 at 9pm, with Alison Hammond guiding audiences through this emotional celebration of music and personal storytelling.