This Morning favourite Alison Hammond is reported to have handed over several thousand pounds to a blackmailer that she once believed was her friend.
The ITV star – who previously found fame on reality series – Big Brother claims that a blackmailer had vowed to "end her career" by planning to run fake stories on her.
The unidentified man allegedly threatened to "ruin" Birmingham-born presenter Alison, 48, after she’d already purchased a BMW car worth an estimated £5000 for him.
An inside source this week told The Sun that Alison had met with officers from West Midlands Police on Tuesday, showing them a variety of messages from the person she claimed was once her friend.
They claim Alison – who last week was announced as a replacement for Matt Lucas on The Great British Bake Off – said: “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 mystery figure – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – is alleged to have blackmailed the mum-of-one over a period of eight months.
The inside source also claims that Alison had previously offered to pay a large sum of money for his rehab treatment to help kick his issues with drugs, but he is said to have taken advantage of her.
The Sun also claims that pals of the star say Alison is scared for her and her family’s safety after “turning off the tap” of cash to report him.
They claim Alison said: “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.”
But despite her terrifying ordeal, Alison has been putting on a brave face since news broke of the blackmailer, with the star having continued to appear on television over the course of the week.
Yesterday saw the fun-loving star in hysterics during an interview with cheeky superstar singer Lewis Capaldi on This Morning on Friday.
“Thank you for having me. I've had such fun," Lewis teased as the hosts thanked him for coming into the studio, whilst unable to contain her cheekiness in response, Alison then told the singer, “I'll give you fun.”
Despite appearances however, she said to be worried about the repercussions of reporting the male to West Midlands Police.
OK! approached Alison's representatives for comment.
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