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 eight-month ordeal.
The This Morning host 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 on suspicion of blackmail against a woman in her 40s.
This Morning Host 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 presenter gathered the courage to report the incident to police earlier this week, telling the publication that she had ‘reached the end.’
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 and claimed that she had ‘trusted’ the man when speaking to a pal.
It is claimed the man took advantage of Alison’s kind nature and they forged an unlikely friendship.
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 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)
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… I had to realise I’d reached the end and go to the police.’
Alison was said to be ‘genuinely scared’ of any retaliation from the man now she has stopped giving him money and gone to the authorities.
According to The Sun, Alison had also handed over a £5,000 BMW after they threatened to ‘end her career’ with the false information
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Alison for comment.
Birmingham-born Alison shares a teenage son called Aiden with her ex-husband Noureddine Boufaied.
A former holiday rep, she first appeared on British TV screens as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002, which she later admitted she had only signed up for in a bid to clear a £3,000 debt.
Her bubbly personality and warmth soon landed her a spot on This Morning after ITV bosses saw her potential.
Her career has since gone from strength to strength, recently landing hosting jobs at the BAFTAs and on GBBO.
