Alison Hammond has been the victim of a sinister blackmail plot.
Alison Hammond victim of blackmail plot
The 48-year-old TV presenter was reportedly threatened by a former friend in an eight-month ordeal, which saw her pay him thousands in a bid to stop him spreading malicious lies about her.
She is also believed to have bought him a £5,000 BMW.
A close friend of Alison told The Sun newspaper that Alison confided in them, saying: "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.
“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 reportedly finally went to the police this week after the man demanded £3,500 or else he would "ruin" her.
She told her pal: "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.
"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.”
Tagged in Alison Hammond