Alison Hammond becomes emotional as she celebrates 20 years on This Morning

Alison Hammond burst into tears of joy when her This Morning colleagues surprised her with a huge celebration marking her 20th anniversary on the show during Monday’s epsiode.

The 47-year-old presenter - who first shot to fame when taking part in the 2002 series of Big Brother - is not often lost for words, but admitted she was “overwhelmed” by it all.

Her celebrations kicked off when Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby knowingly sent her to her hometown of Birmingham to supposedly meet a Dosh on the Doorstep competition winner sharing her name.

Deliberately cutting off her earpiece while live on air, Willoughby and Schofield let the audience in on what was going on.

“We have made everything up because the person we are surprising today is actually Alison herself as she’s been on This Morning for an incredible and wonderful 20 years,” beamed Schofield.

“We have set up the whole morning of surprises,” added Willoughby.

When Hammond arrived at the address, she was stunned as she was greeted by her fellow This Morning presenter Josie Gibson and former BB housemate Kate Lawler.

They then bundled her into a car to the Midlands Arts Centre, where a special This Is Your Life- style best bits compilation played out with friends and family in the audience.

“How did you do this? This is the best day of my life!” she gasped as she listened to video messages from Dermot O’Leary, Rylan Clark, Strictly Come Dancing star Aljaz Škorjanec, Rick Astley, former Big Brother host Davina McCall and even her own teenage son Aiden.

After being presented with a red book and cake shaped like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the tearful star said: “Thank you This Morning for giving me the opportunity firstly, I’m really overwhelmed by this to be honest with you.

“I’ve had the best 20 years. Every day has been the best and thank you to the viewers for watching. All I ever want to do is make you guys happy.”

Assuring her that’s exactly what she does, Willoughby replied: “Alison, that is exactly what you do. You make everyone so happy all the time. Whoever’s around you - you are so infectious with your spirit and joy. We love you.”

”She is, without doubt, one of the best friends you could ever have. She’s an amazing person,” agreed Schofield.