Alison Hammond

Channel 4 Your Song viewers ‘work out’ why new show seems so familiar after one episode

The new Channel 4 series follows talented singer from across the country as they compete for a chance to perform at one of London’s most iconic venues

Channel 4 viewers have worked out why brand new series Your Song seems so familiar after just one episode.

The singing competition made its anticipated debut on Sunday (April 12) 12, hosted by beloved presenter Alison Hammond. The series gives ordinary people from across Britain the chance to perform a special song on a stage in front of their hometowns.

Whether it’s a track that ushered them through heartbreak or an original tune that reminds them of their loved ones, the singers are given the opportunity to share their stories through music.

Pop stars Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder act as the contestants’ mentors, judging their performances in a hidden location away from the crowds. The winner will ultimately perform on stage at London’s Hackney Empire.

But it wasn’t the singers who caught viewers’ attention during the series premiere. Fans were quick to note that Your Song has a very similar format to The Piano, another talent show by the network.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan penned: “This is giving a cross between The Voice and the Piano. #YourSong.”

Another agreed: “So new #YourSong is just the amazing #Piano series but without the piano??? Think I’d rather have The Piano as used to host and judges etc….but will give this a go ..let’s see.”

Someone else, who was a fan of The Piano, added: “#YourSong I watched all of The Piano episodes. Not sure I’ll stick with this though but I’ll see what the first few singers are like..”

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and pianist Lang Lang, the series similarly features amateur musicians, although they perform pieces on a piano. The judges also observe the contestants from a nearby room, before selecting finalists for a major end-of-show concert.

Despite spotting the similarities, however, some fans have shared positive reviews of the new show. “The singers on this are quite good tbf,” wrote one, with another adding: “What a performance from Elliott.”

Elliott, 17, was one of the first performers of the competition. He hails from Liverpool, which was the show’s very first stop. There, singers performed everything from chart-toppers from Sam Fender to original songs.

They also opened up about how each tune carried them through difficult times, which left the judges visibly moved.

Your Song is available to stream on Channel 4

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This Morning star Alison Hammond addresses ‘interesting’ 22-year age gap with boyfriend

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has addressed the 22-year age gap between her and her boyfriend David Putman, as she issued an update on their relationship

Birmingham-born telly star Alison Hammond has addressed the 22-year age gap between herself and her partner, Russian model and massage therapist David Putman, telling the Daily Mail: “I completely understand why people are interested when there’s a 22-year gap,” before questioning: “But what I find interesting is that it’s not as interesting when it’s the man who is older. Why is that? I just want people to be happy for us. We are absolutely in love.”

The presenter first encountered the towering 6ft 10in model after booking him for a £150 massage. Sparks flew instantly between them. According to Alison, they complement each other perfectly, with David being “mature and sensible”, while she admits she’s “so not”.

Gushing about her beau, Alison said: “He just has the most beautiful energy and everyone feels it when they’re in his presence. It’s very rare. I am so grateful that he chooses to spend his life with me.”

Wedding bells aren’t ringing quite yet for the loved-up couple, though Alison playfully teasedThis Morning audiences about a possible engagement during a celebrity gossip segment last summer.

While discussing the day’s headlines alongside co-presenter Dermot O’Leary, Alison spotted articles about herself: “Oh my God! Apparently I am engaged?” she gasped, before joking, “Let me swap it over to stop these rumours,” as she shifted her eye-catching diamond ring to another finger.

Alison revealed in December that neither she nor her partner feels any urgency to tie the knot: “We live together, and we’re happy the way it is. I don’t need a ring to show my love to somebody. What I will say is, if he asked me tomorrow to marry him, it wouldn’t be a ‘no’. That’s all I’m going to say to you.”

The mother-of-one, whose wealth is estimated at around £4 million, has previously stated she prefers to keep details of her personal life private. She said: “I don’t like to go into detail about him, because it’s my private life, and I want to respect his life as well.”

Nevertheless, she noted that those close to her are fully aware she is completely “loved-up.”

The Bake Off and Love of Dogs presenter shared that being in a relationship makes her “more patient” and “kinder”, adding that she cherishes having someone to “care for”.

The sole difficulty in their romance appears to be David’s mother, Olga, who is said to disapprove of the age-gap relationship. A source close to the pair told The Sun that Olga, 64, believes Alison is too mature for David and is uncomfortable with how Alison’s fame has thrust him into the public eye.

“She’s uncomfortable that her son is with someone who has so much more financial power than him,” the insider revealed. “Olga’s traditional values don’t sit well with their relationship. She’s told him in no uncertain terms that he must end it.”

Another source added: “Olga raised her children in the Orthodox Church. This kind of relationship doesn’t fit her beliefs.” She has reportedly made several calls to David from her home in Sochi, on the Black Sea coast, urging him to rethink his decisions.

Despite his mother’s misgivings, David remains content with how his romance with Alison is progressing, and it seems unlikely that her concerns will have any bearing on his choices.

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Alison Hammond recalls ‘awful’ Strictly Come Dancing moment during performance

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has confessed to an ‘awful’ moment on Strictly Come Dancing.

Alison Hammond issues latest on ‘Strictly scandal’

Alison Hammond has revealed a mortifying Strictly Come Dancing confession, admitting to an embarrassing incident during her time on the programme.

The This Morning host shot to prominence on Big Brother in 2002, and has subsequently featured on shows including Strictly, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and as presenter of The Great British Bake Off.

Alison graced the Strictly dance floor in 2014, paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, with the duo placing 10th overall. She has now owned up to “breaking wind” during the competition.

The 51-year-old recounted a particular incident from the show whilst appearing alongside Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, comedian Richard Ayoade and Ready or Not 2’s Kathryn Newton on The Jonathan Ross Show, broadcasting tonight (Saturday).

She recalled performing to Robin Williams’ Friend Like Me during week seven of the competition, hoisting Aljaz off the ground at one stage, before confessing: “Oh, it was awful. At the time he couldn’t lift me so we thought don’t worry I’ll lift you, I can do it,” reports Birmingham Live.

“There is a moment where he does a cartwheel and I had to kind of pick him up and then help him over. He goes into this cartwheel and I pick him up and I break wind. I look at him and I go, ‘Let’s never talk about this again.’

“I didn’t realise that he’s quite a heavy guy – it literally took the wind out of me.” Alison has previously spoken about her experience on Strictly, and her bond with her former dance partner, Aljaz.

Amid several scandals Strictly has faced in recent years, including Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being dropped from the professional line-up, Alison said: “I had Aljaz Skorjanec and he was absolutely incredible and as you know going back into Strictly.

“He was so amazing to me and gentle as well and kind. I’ve never experienced anything bad really.”

Elsewhere on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alison speaks about her new programme, Your Song.

She explains: “Your Song is exactly that. It’s your song that you feel emotionally attached to – it got you through a rough time at school or you know, it reminds you of someone who has passed on. A song that really means something to you.

“People come from around the country and perform it on a stage. People go on stage who have never sung before and they sing a song to a random audience. It’s just one of the most beautiful shows ever.”

The Jonathan Ross Show airs tonight from 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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