ITV This Morning's Alison Hammond breaks down over being unable to pay mortgage despite fame

Alison Hammond has tearfully opened up about a period in her life when she was unable to pay her mortgage despite her fame in a new interview.

The 49-year-old has been a recognisable face on TV ever since appearing in the third season of Big Brother in 2002. But the star says she went through a period of financial turmoil in 2007 when she was left without work.

The ITV This Morning star confessed: "There was a time when I couldn't pay my mortgage, and I was really famous." Alison was working as a reporter for This Morning at the time but was left unused by the show and had no other work lined up.

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She said she took up a job at a local hairdressers, where she would pretend to be helping out if customers recognised her, to help pay the bills. "I'd answer the phone, do a few blow dries," she said.

Her young son Aidan was at home while her mother provided them with financial support, reports the Mirror.

In the interview with the Guardian, Alison broke down as she recounted her story, saying: "It's not all good all of the time. But I was all right, you know? That's television, it's fickle and it's part of my journey, part of my power."

Last year, Alison joined the Channel 4 show the Great British Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding, replacing comedian Matt Lucas, who left to focus on 'other projects'.

Alison was well received by fans but has voiced concerns that she may not be asked back next year. She said: "That's OK. I know I'll be OK, because I've been OK before. I'll go and work at Tesco and people will still love me."

Alison also fronts For The Love Of Dogs and reports suggest the next series is set to