Alison Hammond: Police arrest a 36-year-old man on suspicion of blackmail after she ‘handed over thousands of pounds’
- TV star reportedly told pals that she ‘couldn’t keep paying her vile blackmailer’
A man has been arrested on suspicion of blackmail after TV star Alison Hammond allegedly handed over thousands of pounds in cash to a former friend over a terrifying 8-month ordeal.
The presenter reportedly told her pals that she ‘couldn’t keep paying her vile blackmailer’ after he demanded £3,500 from her.
The blackmailer was said to have threatened to make public false details of her private life.
West Midlands Police confirmed earlier today that they had launched an investigation into a blackmail plot against the ITV presenter.
And this evening, they have said that a 36-year-old man has been arrested from an address in Warwickshire this evening on suspicion of blackmail against a woman in her 40s.
Alison Hammond, 48, has revealed that she ‘couldn’t keep paying her vile blackmailer’ after he demanded £3,500 following a terrifying 8 month ordeal
The man remains in custody for questioning.
Police today said they ‘take reports of this kind very seriously’ and ‘enquiries are progressing swiftly’.
According to The Sun, Alison also handed over a £5,000 BMW after the man threatened to ‘end her career’ with the false information.
The This Morning host gathered the courage to report the incident to police earlier this week, telling the publication that she had ‘reached the end.’
The new Great British Bake Off host is said to have fought back tears as she told her pal: ‘I trusted this guy who, it turns out, was only interested in my money’
Alison reported the situation to West Midlands Police on Tuesday this week, where she showed detectives the messages she had received from him.
The new Great British Bake Off host is said to have fought back tears as she told her pal: ‘I trusted this guy who, it turns out, was only interested in my money.
‘I thought he valued our friendship. I now know he only wanted me to fund his life of luxury’, The Sun reports.
It is claimed the man took advantage of Alison’s kind nature and they forged an unlikely friendship despite his issues with drugs.
Alison reportedly told her friend that he sprung the demands on her out of the blue after she had been happy to try and help him and spend money on him.
Alison was said to be ‘scared for her family’s safety’ after bravely putting a stop to the dark blackmail and extortion plot (pictured in June)
According to The Sun, Alison had also handed over a £5,000 BMW after they threatened to ‘end her career’ with the false information
It is claimed she attempted to cut ties with him a number of times but he managed to make his way back into her life.
Things reached boiling point for Alison when she is said to have told a colleague last week: ‘He sent me a message stating that if I didn’t give him £3,500 he would ruin me.
‘I was flabbergasted. I’m still in shock. To have a friend seeking to blackmail and extort me is just heartbreaking. I had to realise I’d reached the end and go to the police.’
However, Alison is said to be ‘genuinely scared’ of any retaliation from the man now she has stopped giving him money and gone to the authorities.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Alison for comment.
