has shared the unusual audition process that locked her in as of .
Last week the TV presenter was announced as the replacement for on the baking competition, and will soon be joining co-host and judges Dame and Paul Hollywood filming the next season.
Sharing the news in a voiceover along with an epic cake-based recreation of the set, Alison’s already .
But despite her years of experience Alison, 48, was still required to audition for the job.
While pretending to might have made sense, she’s actually revealed she was sent to a garden centre to chat to customers.
‘They made me interview random strangers, to obviously see if I’m good with different people,’ she recalled.
‘It was a weird audition,’ she added when speaking to.
After landing the role, Alison was told she had to make it through three weeks without telling anyone, but ended up telling her son Aidan, 18.
‘Can you believe I couldn’t tell anybody?’ she added.
‘You know what my mouth is like.’
Since the announcement was made, Alison has been congratulated by her new colleagues, who had ‘said really lovely things’, as had former host Mary Berry.
However, the exciting news was somewhat bittersweet after Alison shared the show was a favourite of her late mum Maria, who died from liver and lung cancer in 2020.
‘The fact she doesn’t get to see it – I’m devastated,’ she said.
‘It’s bittersweet. My mum was always a massive supporter of me.
‘She was always cheering me on from the side lines.’
However, this won’t be the first time Alison has appeared on the show after being a contestant on the Stand Up To Cancer special back in 2020.
Alison appeared alongside Joe Sugg, James Blunt and Alex Jones, with the group all challenged to make mini Yorkshire puddings and a biscuit scene.
However, Alison had a hilarious moment when being left confused after thinking her oven door had gone missing.
Last month, GBBO showrunner and executive producer Richard McKerrow revealed what the team were looking for in Matt’s replacement in the tent.
He explained they had been looking for someone who would ‘look after the bakers during their experience and be curious about what they’re baking and to do it with charm, humour and kindness’.
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year.
