As many of you know Ali loved her long hair so when advised by her new management company to have a chop Ali was nervous to say the least. Ali struggles to have more than 1cm taken off so her hairdresser Amy at Kelly Cooper Hairdressing couldn’t quite believe what Ali was asking for.

“Amy thought I was having her on when I asked her to take off 3inches and cut in some layers. It’s amazing my hair looks so much blonder due to the layers revealing some of the natural colours. I’m really happy with it”

Paisley band Lemonhaze were part of the towns 2021 City of Culture bid, perfomring some great tunes at St Mirren Park and Ali had the pleasure of meeting some of the lads as they sat next to her to watch St Mirren play at the official 2021 Stadium.

“it was a great afternoon, fab live music before the match from Lemonhaze, the Paisley Panda was on fine form as were the buddies and free tickets to the game for the kids! I had a lovely time!” said Ali about the day. 

This year the town of Paisley where Ali was born has put in a bid to be the 2021 City of Culture. Along with fellow buddy Paolo Nuitini and many other Paisley born performers and writers she is firmly backing the town.

“This would be fantastic for Paisley and the people of the town. This is exactly what the town needs and it deserves to be recognised when it has so much to offer!”

Anyone who knows Ali will be well aware she is a die hard Saint Mirren football fan and so far this season her team have been performing a very positive campaign. As we type they are currently top of the Scottish First Division which they haven’t won since back in 1999-2000 ( of course Ali was in attendance). Ali is thrilled to have her season ticket and  make the games this year rather than the odd match a year due to living down south.                                             “I am so proud of all the boys this year, those playing in the first team, the youths coming through and reserves on the bench when they get the chance pulling it out the back. I’m immensley proud of the team!”

For years Ali has been known as “Aunty Ali” to all of her friends beautiful children but Ali became an aunty for real this year with the birth of her beautiful baby nephew Conan Joseph!

Ali is absolutly bursting with love for this little man and is loving “Conan cuddles”.

“I am over the moon for my big brother, sister-in-law and all the family, it’s so wonderful. It’s been a tough few months losing both my Grandpa Joe and then my Granny Margaret. Conan is a blessing”.

Ali moved back home to Scotland to spend more time with her beloved family and pursue her Presenting career whilst at the same time study for her Degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Talking about the decision “it was a no brainer really, I’ve had to miss so many special family times due to living and working away. With recent events it feels right, I have loved the last 15years in England however right now it’s time to come home and be with my family”

A brilliant wee day was had by Ali after being invited along to join the team at BBC Scotland’s Sportscene on the 1st of October 2017.                                                             From playing a small part in behind the scenes game analysis, learning how their show links are decided and scripted through to the chosing of featured peices to last minute live changes, Ali had a great time with all the team and can’t thank them enough for having her. 

Ali said “they are a great time and made me feel extremely welcome”.

I spent it in London with Ranger Rob and the SKY Sports News LIVE team. Learning about cricket at Lords with the fab James Cole, Press conferences at Arsenal & Watford FC & finished off the week at Wembley for the launch of the Women’s Super League with the lovely Jane Dougall!

Ali was over the moon to join forces with on screen presenting partner Rhys App Williams and C3i Group for The 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport.                                                           A favourite in Ali’s presenting calender ” I look forward to this week every year and my highlight from this Championship was reporting live for Henrick Stenson’s returning  of the Claret Jug”

Ali was over the moon to be invited to judge  the 2017 Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year at the SECC. Ali joined well known Scottish Stars of BBC Radio Janice Forsythe and Billy Differ as well as her dear friend and West End Associate Director of Hamilton and 42nd Street Stephen Whitson.

Ali said of the evening “I was in my element, a glorious evening of entertainment by such talent, the young Scottish stars of the future, it was an absoulute delight! A huge congratulations to all entrants and a special well done to our deserved winner Chiara Sparkes.”

Ali was delighted to join the team at BHBN Hospital Radio for the “Sunday Bash” show as a guest, choosing her top songs of the moment.

“I was looked after so well, it was great fun and I was supplied with so much hot chocolate I was in heaven!”

Ali had a fantastic time in June flying to Fuerteventura for her first beach photo shoot with the amazing team from The Model Camp. This is Ali’s second shoot with Gary and Lewis with shots from both on the Gallery page.

 

 

 

On Sunday the 16th of April 2017, Ali presented her last official show for Immediate Media Co. where she has been presenting their JewelleryMaker channel for the past 7-years. “I decided it was time to chase more of my childhood presenting dreams and unfortunately I’m unable to do so while presenting my “Late Show” full time. I can’t thank Immediate or JM enough for their continued support, I am so excited to see where the future takes me and I hope you will continue to be part of my journey.”

“I am over the moon to be able to tell you that I am joining Rhys ap William as your femaleco-host for….. The 145th Open at Royal Troon Golf Club!!” As many of you know Ali loves golf and to have the opportunity to interview the Worlds No 1 players is a dream come true!

As we enter 2016 we see Ali join the wonderful team over at Immediate Media as she continues her role of anchor presenter for Jewellery Maker. Immediate Media Co. is an award-winning special interest content and platform company. They are one of the biggest consumer media businesses in the UK and one of the largest magazine media publishers. In May 2015  they were named Media Company of the Year at the prestigious British Media Awards. World-class content and an innovative culture are their primary objectives. Every month they reach over 16 million highly engaged UK consumers across our 70+ multiplatform brands. Ali on IM ” I’m thrilled to be joining Immediate one of the biggest consumer media businesses in the UK and excited to see where together we can take the business.”

Ali had some new photos taken for her management recently. Please feel free to have a look on her Gallery page for her most recent shots.

As many of you know Ali has been working at The Genuine Gemstone Company since February 15th 2006 and this year not only did she celebrate her 9 year anniversary in style, she has now moved to present the Design Inspiration show from the Late Show on Jewellery Maker.This means Ali will be presenting live from the earlier time of 1-5pm UK Time. Ali is loving the Inspiration shows and really hopes you can join her in this new time slot.“I love working with JM and get the chance to work more extensively with our sensational and inspirational designers is wonderful. Also to be on a shift pattern that enables me to finish at 5pm and not 10pm or 3am for the first time in 9 years is lovely too “

On the 15th on October 2014 Aston Villa FC’s VMF Restaurant celebrated it’s 4th birthday and premiered footage of Ali following the team behind the scenes. Restaurant VMF achieved Trip Adviser ‘Certificate of Excellence’ award in 2013 & 2014 and more gongs for both its delightful food choices and emphatic sustainability work. The food is sourced from the region – including the club allotment which creates its own fare like potatoes, herbs, sweet chilli, honey and tomatoes. Here’s what Ali had to say ” I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the allotment & meeting the wonderful team behind this fantastic programme! It was inspiring to meet with Louise to try the produce.Make sure you get yourself down to the restaurant, enjoy the stadium view and scrumptious food!”

Ali was invited to attend Milo’s Gala Ball at a star-studded night in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. Celebrities from the world of entertainment as well as sporting heroes were amongst guests at the Ball on Saturday 11 October, which was hosted by Sky Sports presenter Jim White, guests Miss Glasgow and Miss Edinburgh, to mention but a few, all in attendance at the Glasgow Hilton, in a bid to raise £21k in aid of Guide Dogs For the Blind. Running from October 2013 to October 2014, Scott Cunningham MBE, fundraising champion, and guide dog owner, launched Operation 21, a twelve month series of fundraising events marking Scott’s 21 years without sight.

Ali started 2014 thrilled to accept a move and full time position on GemsTV‘s sister channel Jewellery Maker, which Ali originally  launched successfully in 2010, with the show winning a Freesat Award within it’s first year as Best Newcomer. Ali’s thoughts on moving channels:”I really missed presenting JM as hosting GemsTV from 11pm-3am made it impossible to do both shows. I love Gems but I was in need of a change, 8 years on the same show has been amazing although the overnights were beginning to take their toll. I’m loving the new challenges, making jewellery at JM and I’m now going to work and coming home on the same day which is fantastic! Everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t thank them enough for their continued support over the years. I’m feeling very blessed” You can catch Ali presenting “The Late Show” on Sky channel 665 from 5-9pm.