I’m being BLACKMAILED by a friend and have already handed over thousands, reveals distraught Alison Hammond
THIS Morning favourite Alison Hammond has called in police over a sinister blackmail and extortion plot.
A man told the star to hand over thousands or he would tell damaging lies to end her career.
She even bought him a £5,000 BMW as his demands increased.
And the blackmailer threatened “I’ll Ruin You” if she failed to lavish money on him.
New Bake Off host Alison, 48, told a friend: “I’ve been so naive and feel so stupid.”
The popular This Morning host showed detectives the sinister messages earlier this week after summoning the courage to report him.
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She tearfully told officers of her eight-month ordeal — and they are now seeking the man, a former friend who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Pals say new Bake Off co-host Alison is scared for her and her family’s safety after “turning off the tap” of cash to report him.
It’s understood she felt forced to hand over thousands of pounds and even a £5,000 BMW to stop him making up damaging falsehoods about her.
He had vowed to “tell the world” the lies which he said would end her soaraway career.
Blinking back tears, she told a pal yesterday: “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.”
Alison was at her wits’ end after agreeing to his demands. Despite the man’s issues with drugs, they forged an unlikely friendship.
She says she offered to pay for him to attend rehab — only for him to take advantage of her caring nature.
She told the pal: “Out of the blue he said he could tell lies to make people think less of me. It was alarming.
“I’m a very generous person and was happy to spend money on him. I wanted to help him.”
Alison tried to break off the friendship multiple times but he always wheedled his way back into her life.
The threats and exploitation Alison was subjected to reached a crescendo last week.
She has bravely continued to star on This Morning with millions of viewers oblivious to her real-life heartbreak.
She sobbed to a pal: “Now, I’m genuinely scared of what this man might do to me now that I’ve stopped with the handouts and reported him.
“It’s terrifying. I trusted this man and our friendship. But it was all so he could use me for my money. Now I feel so stupid.
“It is as though a veil has been lifted from my eyes.”
Yesterday Alison hid her anguish from viewers as she co-hosted This Morning with Dermot O’Leary.
The versatile star is now seen as a jewel in the crown of ITV’s presenting team.
She recently signed to replace Matt Lucas as co-host of Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off — and has been snapped up for Sky quiz In Demand.
Brummie Alison shares a teenage son Aiden with her ex-husband Noureddine Boufaied.
A former holiday rep, she has seen her TV career go from strength to strength since appearing as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002.
Fans were left in stitches when she accidentally broke a garden table while trying to peer over the guarded house’s fence.
She was second to get the boot, lasting just 15 days and finishing 11th behind eventual winner Kate Lawler.
Alison later admitted she had only signed for the show in a bid to clear a £3,000 debt.
But her bubbly attitude soon landed her a spot on This Morning after bosses saw her potential as an on-screen talent.
She has since delivered a series of classic daytime TV moments — including a fake wedding with Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
The Hollywood star remembered the ceremony and five years later was still referring to Alison as “my wife”.
In another incident she accidentally shove a helper into the water during a floating weather forecast.
In 2010 she headed to Australia for I’m A Celebrity but was sent packing after losing an eating trial to US model Kayla Collins.
In 2014 Alison competed for the Glitterball trophy in Strictly Come Dancing.
Paired with Slovenian dancer pro Aljaž Škorjanec, she became one of the show’s most popular stars, but was eventually voted off in the seventh week.
She remained a familiar face to BBC viewers, making appearances on game shows The Wheel and fronting I Can See Your Voice.
Her popularity led to a This Morning presenter shake-up in 2020, with Alison assuming Friday hosting duties alongside Dermot with the duo quickly becoming fan favourites.
In 2021 she made the shortlist for Best TV Presenter at the National Television Awards.
She said of the nomination: “I never ever dared to dream this big, this was never even on my radar to be in this category.
“I might have to make my dreams a little bit bigger now.
“It just means so much and I just want to say thank you to everyone who voted. It really means the world.”
Last month she made history again when she became the first black woman to co-host the Baftas — taking to the stage alongside actor Richard E Grant.
She also had her own area behind the scenes where she interviewed celebrities including Dame Helen Mirren.
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Last night Alison clutched an umbrella to ward off downpours as she left TV studios in White City, West London.
She and her agent declined to comment.
BIG BRUV TO BIG BAKE JOB
ALISON has risen from obscurity on Big Brother to become the new Bake Off presenter.
She finished 11th on the reality show in 2002, but her bubbly personality led to a job with This Morning and appearances on I’m A Celeb and Strictly.