Alison Hammond has revealed the simple dying wish of her beloved mother, as she lost her battle with cancer after contracting sepsis.

The 49-year-old TV presenter, who has recently been seen on ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off, has given an insight into her mum’s final moments, when she sadly passed away from lung and liver cancer in January 2020.

Six months later, Alison was hit with more sadness when her father Clifford also died.

Writing in her memoir, Alison explained that her mother “used to sing,” and that the “house would be filled with laughter.

People would come over, she’d cook.” Alison said that she learned a lot from those who came to the house, writing: “in the sense of strong women looking after women, women teaching women”.

Alison said that her mother “wanted everyone over,” and even in her final days, Alison recalls that her mum wanted the house to be full of visitors. The TV presenter told The Guardian: “I was like, ‘You’re dying , mum.’ And she was like, ‘Let them come, let them come.’”

Since her mother’s passing, Alison said that there is still “a huge, gaping hole,” as he mum was such a big influence on Alison’s life. She added: “I’d go to her about everything” – including men – “and she’d give her opinion. She’d say, ‘He’s not for you, Alison. He doesn’t bring anything to the table.’”

Two years ago, the This Morning star spoke to the Loose Women panel about her grief, revealing that the death of Queen Elizabeth II brought back painful memories of losing her mum. At the time, she said: “I thought I had grieved but when the Queen died it all came down on me. It hit me like a thunderbolt and I had to go to the cemetery.”

She revealed that she spent six hours crying as her grief had come to the surface. The ITV host added: “That was my grief and it came two years later. It really surprised me. I was literally floored. Anything anyone said I cried because my mum wasn’t there.”

Meanwhile, Alison is rumoured to be considering adoption as her relationship with 27-year-old masseur David continues to blossom. She has been dating David since earlier this year and is now allegedly thinking about adding to her family.

Speaking to Closer UK, a source said: “Alison always saw herself with at least four kids, but it didn’t happen and she openly regrets that. As a result, she has always said that she would adopt a small army of kids if she could. She has so much love to give – but it’s finding the time.” Alison currently has one child called Aiden, 19, who she had with taxi driver Noureddine Boufaied in 2005.