You've Got to Laugh

by Alison Hammond

'I always say a day is wasted without laughter . . .'

Alison Hammond loves to laugh. And the nation laughs with her. Her sunny personality and zest for life have brought joy to millions and made her one of the UK's best-loved television presenters. Known for her hilarious and unforgettable interviews with Hollywood A-listers, Alison is also responsible for countless classic moments of broadcasting gold - from getting stuck on a caravan door to delivering Christmas cash dressed as an elf.

But who is Alison Hammond really, and how did she become the personality we know and love? Shaped by the influence of her incredible mum, Alison went from small roles on television shows as a youngster to that life-changing appearance on Big Brother, before landing her dream job on This Morning. And through it all, she found the joy in every day, the positives in any situation.

You've Got to Laugh gives a never-before-seen insight into Alison's her loves, her losses - with a side order of gossip. As well as being a hugely entertaining and uplifting read, Alison's story will inspire you to grab life with both hands and make the most of every single moment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir, Humor, Comedy

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2021

Reviews

[Steff Gadsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alison Hammond so much and you can hear her voice when you're reading this. Feels like a lovely catch up with a friend you've known for years when you read this ☺️

[Sophia (taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

fave quote: they don’t want to let the hammond go babes👏

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read...that's all there really was to it. Alison is fun to watch on the telly, I just don't think she translates quite as well in book form. Even still, this was an easy read that kept me entertained well enough. It was incredibly sporadic and all over the place, but that in itself was very Alison so I give it a pass. I've got to say, my personal favourite bits came in the very last chapter when she spoke about both her mother and BLM. You could feel the love and devotion she had for her mother through the pages and I really related to that. I will finish this review with the only quote I took from the book (which doesn't represent the whole vibe, this was a light-hearted read but this was the only real bit that spoke to me):

"...when you say I don't see colour, it's another way of saying I don't see racism, I don't see injustice, I don't see inequality and I don't see you"

Give this a read if you like Alison Hamond I guess.

[Stacy (Gotham City Librarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Alison Hammond and I went into this memoir expecting the funniest book ever, so that was my bad. It was amusing for sure, but I have a feeling that audio is probably the way to go with this one for maximum enjoyment. Her voice probably would have enhanced it a lot.

It has a very conversational tone and feels like she sat down and wrote the whole thing out very easily. The book makes it seem as if Hammond is telling you about her life over lunch, and I appreciate that. Most of the sections were fairly short and featured quick stories from throughout her life. There were parts that read more like blog entries than a book, and I also spotted a few typos.

Most of the time when I read these autobiographies I get bored pretty quick hearing about personal stories from their childhood and stuff like that, but Hammond is so charming that I didn’t experience that here. And I could already tell from watching her on Bake-Off, but this book only further confirmed it: Alison Hammond is a kind person with a good heart. She encourages positive messaging also, like being yourself, enjoying your life and ignoring what other people think. She is very candid about her struggles in the spotlight and how she has worked to overcome issues with self-image.

The embarrassing stories were by far my favorite part. (Especially the one about clogging the toilet in Los Angeles.) But it also made me laugh that she brought up Terry’s Chocolate Oranges so many times! (I love those things, too.)

Sadly, this was written before she started co-hosting Bake-Off. I would have loved to hear stories about hanging out with Noel.

3.5 stars.

Mild TW: References to Domestic Abuse, Bodyshaming, Chronic illness

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, light-hearted read! It was so quick and witty, and Alison is just a breath of fresh air - I felt so happy whilst reading it. Alison speaks in the exact same way in which she writes, so it felt more like a hilarious conversation with a good friend more than a book. I also loved that she deeply reflected on significant events in her life with such emotion, and openly chatted about issues she's experienced with her race and weight. Petition for Alison to write more books please x

[Carla Welch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Alison but felt like this book just skimmed over her life…. Everything lacked that detail and just found myself thinking come on. I loved learning about her life before fame. Just wish the book had abit more to it.
Still love Alison and get positive attitude to life!!

[Beth Cooper]

i am not rating this because my love for alison hammond cannot be quantified

[Tan Markovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Freya Pigott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if anyone read this through before publishing

[Lynn Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I listened to this as an audiobook and it is narrated by the wonderful, Alison Hammond. There is something truly special about an author narrating their own autobiography. It’s a lovely experience to listen to - it feels fun and light - like a podcast! This was an uplifting and inspirational tale of the highs and lows of Alison’s life and career. I particularly enjoyed hearing about her life before fame, especially her life and loves in Tunisia. Another part I enjoyed were the showbiz tales. Alison has partied with them all! Elton, Paris, The Rock - you name it! Alison gives some truly great life advice during her autobiography. A lovely, enjoyable listen 🩷

[MariaWitBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I don’t watch TV so I wasn’t familiar with Alison’s life or work, except knowing the face from some clips that popped up on my social media feed.
I picked the book just because I like listening to books narrated by the author.

Now… I had moments of dislike maybe because I’m not used with the accent/vocabulary but at the end of the day this book is a 5 stars if not more …

Alison comes across as a beautiful woman, lovely daughter and amazing mother! And weirdly enough her heartfelt chapter on body image and finding your peace… it really helped me on a different struggle.

You are right Alison! People will look and judge and even sometimes go to the trouble of hurting you. But that’s on them not on you!

Live and be happy Alison!

Thank you

[Ria McAuliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alison Hammond and you can literally hear her voice as you read it! A little repetitive at times but an overall easy joyful read.

[Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sick of listening to the same 10 Spotify songs on my way home from work, so I thought - hey, why not give an audiobook a go?

And bab, am I glad i did!

Alison’s autobiography is everything you’d expect it to be - touching, hilarious and just downright feel-good!

I’ve always absolutely adored Alison, period, so this was a fab way to learn all about her life and laugh the entire journey home. I particularly loved the Jehovah's Witness/American accent story - trust me it's worth reading/listening to this for this anecdote alone.

Plus, this was probably the most naturally-read (is that a phrase?) audiobook I've ever listened to. It felt you were sat with Alison and listening to her talk openly, rather than her sounding like she was reading from a page.

Never did I think I’d be excited for a commute, but I guess that’s Alison for you!

*Update - it's been a day without listening to Alison in the car, and I genuinely feel like I'm in mourning*

[𝔅𝔢𝔱𝔥 ☽⋆ ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always been a fan on AH. This did make me chuckle in places (which I know Alison will be happy about.) Alison's enthusiasm for life is infectious. It was like Alison was in the room with me reading it to me. The second half of the book was where it really picked up and quickly became interesting with the hilarious situations in which she finds herself in. This is a woman who has lived life to the max. I would have loved to hear in more detail about stories of her life as I felt some of it was skimmed over but asides from that it did the job in telling her story and upbringing. It was nice to read about Alison in a different light exposing to us her more sensitive and vulnerable side. Alison Hammond is a national treasure which we need to protect at all costs.

[Liv Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, lighthearted read, I enjoyed it!

On TV, Alison comes across as bubbly and funny and reading her book confirms that it’s not just for TV, that’s how she really is!

The book certainly lives up to its name, it’s funny, it’s silly and did make me laugh at various moments throughout.

I enjoyed learning more about Alison, her early career, her relationship with her family and weight and her Blackness. Especially in the lead up to Bake Off!

You get a real feel for Alison’s voice and her personality throughout the book, that’s why it’s so funny. I would recommend this book for sure.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really easy read. Some of the stories I’d heard before or seen through clips on social media but it was still interesting reading about her background and how she has reached where she has in her career. This is a book about always focusing on positives and believing in yourself. If you like Alison Hammond, I’d recommend this read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting account read by Alison herself. She comes across as very family orientated and also career driven. She has a lot of self confidence which has helped her become a personality. She's taken opportunities and made a niche for herself.

[Haf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Hammond, my national treasure!!

I laughed so much throughout this book Alison went through her biggest moments and ofc I had to go watch back every moment.

She was so honest and put so much work into telling her story.

Some fun facts - Alison was close to Mohammed Ali or her dad was and all her siblings have Ali in their name
Her gastric band didn’t work and caused her so much pain
She loves Tunisia and Terry’s chocolate
She hated I’m a celeb and hid a secret phone

Funny moment was 30 years of Good Morning and also her wedding with the rock.

[Carly Pc · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I love Alison and you can really hear her voice while reading her book. The first half was a bit rushed and all over the place but I enjoyed the second half which had more depth. I think she is 100% right; you’re not that important, and you’ve got to laugh 🌟

[Harriet Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd quite like Alison Hammond to be my life coach

[Sarah B]

Another random book purchase from my Dad!

[Jade Finzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 super funny and brilliant to get a personal insight into so much of her tv life that we have already seen

[Phoebe]

Alison Hammond is my guilty pleasure I will hear no criticism

[Anna-Marie Dangerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit late to the party reading this one as I know it’s a few years old now, but makes me love her even more. Fellow brummie!

[Kate Lovegrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol… what a gem ☺️

[Kerryrosalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was a fun book and even better, Alison herself reads it with her infectious laugh!

[Sophie Glandfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an icon

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook 🎧

Such an easy listen, and loved the body positivity throughout!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful sweet fun! Lovely to hear her voice speaking this book. Definitely teetering on toxic positivity, but she also handles grief with beauty and eloquence.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable listen, but also felt like it was quite surface level. It went very well with her TV persona, but just felt like we could've delved a bit deeper. There were some discussions towards the end that gave a bit more reflection.