Alison Hammond: Police arrest a 36-year-old man on suspicion of extortion

A man has been arrested on suspicion of racketeering after TV star Alison Hammond allegedly handed over thousands of pounds in cash to a former friend over a horrifying eight-month ordeal.

The This Morning host should have told her Pal that she “couldn’t keep paying her vile blackmailer” after he demanded £3,500 from her.

The blackmailer is said to have threatened to give false information about her private life.

West Midlands Police confirmed earlier today that they had opened an investigation into a blackmail scheme against the ITV presenter.

And tonight they have said a 36-year-old man has been arrested from an address in Warwickshire on suspicion of extortion against a woman in her 40s.

This Morning host Alison Hammond, 48, has revealed she “couldn’t keep paying her vile blackmailer” after he demanded £3,500 after a horrific 8-month ordeal

The man remains in custody for questioning.

Police said today they “take reports of this nature very seriously” and “the investigation is progressing rapidly.”

According to The Sun, Alison also handed over a £5,000 BMW after the man with the wrong information threatened to “end her career”.

The presenter plucked up the courage to report the incident to police earlier this week, telling the publication 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 as she told her pal: “I trusted this guy who, it turns out, was only interested in my money.

‘I thought he valued our friendship. I know now he just wanted me to fund his life of luxury,” reports The Sun.

It is alleged the man took advantage of Alison’s friendly nature and they formed an unlikely friendship despite his problems with drugs.

The new host of Great British Bake Off 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 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.

Alison is said to have been “feared for her family’s safety” after bravely putting an end to dark extortion and blackmail (pictured in June).

According to The Sun, Alison had also handed over a £5,000 BMW after they threatened to end her career with the wrong information

“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.”

However, Alison is said to be “real afraid” of retaliation from the man after she stopped giving him money and contacted the authorities.

MailOnline has reached out to a representative of Alison for comment.