Stars are more relaxed when talking to you in their home

TV presenter Alison Hammond tells us we can expect when she spends a weekends with a host of celebrities for her new series. YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI learns more

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IT’S not just viewers who have taken Alison Hammond to their hearts - she also has an impressive track record when it comes to charming some of the world’s biggest stars.

Whether she is challenging Beyoncé to a game of Connect 4 or blithely telling Blade Runner 2049 stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling that she’s never seen the original film, she has a way of getting A-listers to let their guard down and just genuinely have a laugh.

And if she can accomplish that over the course of a short interview, just think what she can get out of a celebrity if she was spending some genuine quality time with them.

That’s the thinking behind the new series Alison Hammond's Big Weekend. Or, as Alison herself puts it: “Oh babes, buckle up! Big Weekend is all about me getting celebs to have the juiciest, funniest, and sometimes most emotional chats. It’s a full-blown experience!

“We're talking deep convos, belly laughs and spontaneous sing-alongs. From roller coasters with Mel B to ice baths with Jimmy Carr, this series is packed with surprises.”

In addition to the afore-mentioned former Spice Girl and comedian, viewers will also get to see Alison go horse riding with actor Luke Evans and be put through her paces in the ring by boxer Tony Bellew.

She also takes Lenny Henry back on a trip to their beloved Midlands in an episode that may make viewers wish the show was longer. Alison laughs: “That man has stories for DAYS. I had to stop a few times just to take it all in!”

The first Big Weekend though sees Alison, 50, meeting former Little Mix star Perrie Edwards - and her family.