Alison Hammond breaks her silence after the suspect was released on bail after being arrested over allegations he ‘demanded thousands of pounds from presenter’ in a blackmail plot
- The 48-year-old presenter allegedly told friends she handed over thousands of pounds and a car to a former friend who threatened to reveal false details about her private life
- West Midlands Police confirmed they had arrested a 36-year-old Warwickshire man on suspicion of extortion against a woman in his 40s
Alison Hammond has broken her silence after it was revealed over the weekend that a man had been arrested on suspicion of extortion.
Taking to Instagram, the 48-year-old presenter shared a glowing selfie from her “girls night” with friends Holly Willoughby, Nicole Appleton and Emma Bunton and captioned it, “Needed this.”
On Sunday, West Midlands Police told Web that a man had been released on bail after his arrest on suspicion of extortion.
Alison is said to have told friends she handed over thousands of pounds and a car to a former friend who has threatened to reveal false details about her private life.
Police confirmed they had arrested a 36-year-old Warwickshire man on suspicion of extorting a woman in his 40s.
Speaking of which, Alison Hammond has broken her silence on social media after it was revealed over the weekend that a man had been arrested on suspicion of extortion
Candid: Taking to Instagram, the presenter shared a glowing selfie from her ‘girls night’ with pals Holly Willoughby, Nicole Appleton and Emma Bunton, adding the caption: ‘Needed this’
The man was questioned by the police and released on bail on Sunday, it said.
West Midlands Police said on Sunday they “take reports of this nature very seriously” and the investigation is “moving forward rapidly”.
According to The Sun, the former Big Brother contestant also presented a £5,000 BMW.
The presenter is said to have reported the incident to police last week, with a colleague telling the publication Hammond revealed she had “reached the end”.
She is said to have shown emergency services officials messages she received from the man on Tuesday.
The new Great British Bake Off host is said to have fought back tears and claimed she “trusted” the man as she spoke to a friend.
‘I thought he valued our friendship. I know now he just wanted me to fund his life of luxury,” The Sun reported.
It is alleged the man took advantage of Alison’s friendly nature and they formed an unlikely friendship despite his problems with drugs.
Development: On Sunday, West Midlands Police told Web that a man had been released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of extortion
Drama: Alison is reported to have told friends she handed over thousands of pounds and a car to a former friend who has threatened to reveal false details about her personal life
Alison reportedly told her friend that he had made the demands on her out of the blue after she happily tried to help and spend money on him.
It is alleged that she tried to cut ties with him several times, but he managed to re-enter her life.
Things reached boiling point for Alison as she reportedly told a colleague last week: “He sent me a message saying he would ruin me if I didn’t give him £3,500.
“I was stunned. I am still shocked. Having a friend trying to blackmail and blackmail me is just heartbreaking. I had to realize I was done and go to the police.”
It was boiling point for Alison when she reportedly told a co-worker last week, “I found I was done and I was going to the police.”
However, Alison is said to be “real afraid” of retaliation from the man after she stopped giving him money and contacted the authorities.
Web has reached out to a representative of Alison for comment.
A former holiday representative, she first appeared on UK television screens in 2002 as a contestant in the third series of Big Brother, for which she later admitted she only signed up to clear a £3,000 debt.
Her bubbly personality and warmth soon earned her a spot on This Morning after ITV bosses saw her potential.
Her career has since gone from strength to strength and has recently landed hosting jobs at the BAFTAs and GBBO.