‘I went to a karaoke night with Alison Hammond – it was a fever dream’

I’m sitting in a dimly-lit karaoke booth with Alison Hammond and Sam Ryder with only one question on my mind: What is my life?

It’s the start of a chaotic evening promoting Channel 4’s new series, Your Song, from the creators of The Piano. The six-part reality series follows a group of aspiring singers performing the songs that mean the most to them on pop-up stages across the UK.

Helmed by born-and-bred Birmingham legend Alison alongside series mentors, Eurovision icon Sam and British chart-topper Paloma Faith, the new show is a tear-jerking musical odyssey.

And what better way to celebrate its launch than belting your heart out in a maze-like basement karaoke bar on the hottest and sunniest day of the year?

Although fans of The Piano may enjoy this series, Alison is quick to confirm that this is a totally ‘different’ experience.

‘We love The Piano… but it’s such a different show. It’s all about singing, and it’s all about a song that means the world to somebody and sharing that song with others,’ she tells Metro ahead of the highly anticipated karaoke session.

Convinced to come on board from the very first time she was pitched the show (you can read all about that and her Strictly dreams here), the This Morning presenter was in for an emotional rollercoaster.

Following in the footsteps of Tracy Beaker herself, she quips: ‘It’s the most I’ve cried, but I just pretended it was hayfever,’ before more seriously adding: ‘This [gig] was probably one of the most emotional, definitely.’

Of course, this being a singing show and all, I ask both what their song would be if they were part of the show.

Quick off the mark, Alison shares: ‘I love [Whitney Houston’s] I’m Every Woman, because it reminds me of the fact that it’s hard being a woman.’

Reassuring Sam, she quickly adds: ‘It’s not easy being a man as well, because men do their thing as well, and I totally get that, but I feel like I’m Every Woman just represents all women, and I just love it. It’s one of my favourite tunes.’

As for the Spaceman hitmaker, he’s just as confident, choosing Meat Loaf’s Bat out of Hell.

‘I watched the music video for it recently, and it’s so good. He’s got that shirt on with the ruffle, and no one can pull that off apart from me.

‘He’s got his hair down and then gets his hanky out in the second verse, and he’s just absolutely going for it, and it’s just amazing.’

Caught off guard, they ask me what mine would be, and I immediately forget every single song I’ve ever listened to, promising to ‘circle back’. I never did, so Alison, if you’re reading this, it has to be Chappel Roan’s iconic Pink Pony Club!

Of course, we touch on the more serious topics too, like how reality shows like Your Song are offering a different style of aspirational television to the old-school hits like X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

‘Music has never been so democratised as it is right now. So those prizes don’t hold the weight, and they shouldn’t be presented as if they still hold the weight that they used to, because it’s just not true…

‘People have been doing [music] for 1000s and 1000s of years without any kind of carrot. It’s just about connecting and sharing your humanity,’ Sam reflects.

And, we discuss the final point of this fabulous trio, new mum Paloma.

‘The outfits, oh my god, she brought the outfits. She brought the tears, she brought the laughter, she brought the smiles, but ultimately, she brought her expertise, which was great. The fact that she loves music so deeply really comes through,’ Alison gushes.

We finish up our chat with the Big Brother icon poignantly reflecting how the song Shallow reminds her of her mum.

‘I used to get angry with her, saying: “Turn that rubbish off” because she used to play over and over again. Now I listen to it, I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs ever written, because my mom loved it so much.’

Then we’re taking selfies and bidding a bittersweet adieu, but the evening is far from over – after all, I need to see Alison Hammond sing a karaoke solo!

In the main hall, there’s a live band, presenter-themed drinks (the Paloma and co), nibbles and a stage where the dynamic duo introduce three of the contestants to perform their songs, which leads to plenty of tears and a running gag that the show is actually all about ar Alison.

We kick off proceedings with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel, that ends with Alison grabbing a guitar and strumming along.

Then she takes to the stage for an epic solo of R&B hit Mustang Sally, which involved some running commentary (I should’ve warmed up!) and, of course, audience participation as we all belt out ‘Ride, Sally, Ride!’

At one point, she grabs two microphones and puts on a dance display during a musical interlude and then caps it all off with one last belt that ends in a slightly breathless ‘whoo’.

A few themed drinks down, and the atmosphere is totally electric. There’s hooting and hollering, and then she opens the floor to us all.

Just when I thought this night couldn’t get any stranger, two men ascend the stage, much to Alison’s delight, and commit wholeheartedly to Stevie Wonder’s Very Superstitious – managing to accidentally perform every line out of sync. The very best kind of karaoke!

With the DJ taking over, and spirits high, I take that as my cue to bow out. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Find yourself a hype woman like Alison the next time you’re in the mood for a sing.

Your Song premieres on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm.

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