Alison Hammond speaks out over blackmail plot where newly-single star ‘handed over thousands’

Alison Hammond has spoken out after it was revealed over the weekend that a man had been arrested on suspicion of blackmail.

The 48-year-old host took to Instagram on Monday to share an empowering video, in which she saw her smile as she lay in bed.

He overlaid the clip with a male voice and said, ‘Do you want to know four main reasons why I will always win?

“I don’t hate anyone, I pray, I stay in my own lane, and last but not least, I’m not competing with anyone except myself.”

Captioning the post with a red heart, the former Big Brother housemate flashed a peace sign with her hand.

Happy: The presenter, 48, took to Instagram on Monday to share an empowering video, which saw her smile as she lay in bed

She looks elegant in a blue polka dot dress, while rocking a matching gray headband.

It comes after Alison seemed to once again confirm that she was single during an appearance on This Morning on Monday, fueling further speculation that she had split from partner Ben Hawkins.

The host, who is filling in for Phillip Schofield this week, showed off her ‘unique ring’ during a dating app discussion.

Accompanied by Holly Willoughby, 42, Alison revealed that she was wearing the green jewelry as a way of declaring her singleness.

Showing off the pear ring, he said, “More people want to meet people and having a green ring might be a good idea to let people know you’re single.”

As you can see, I have my only ring on.

Before Holly chimed in: “Hopefully you won’t need it forever.”

The Pear Ring works in the opposite way to an engagement ring, and wearers put it on to show strangers that they are available.

Back on the market? It comes after Alison seemed to once again confirm that she was single during an appearance on This Morning on Monday, fueling further speculation that she had split from her partner Ben Hawkins.

Single and ready to mingle? The presenter who is taking over for Phillip Schofield this week showed off her ‘unique ring’ during a discussion on dating apps.

Pals: Before Holly (left) chimed in: “Hopefully you don’t need it forever”

The official green ring costs £19.99 and aims to help people find love in person rather than on dating apps.

Earlier this month, Alison shocked This Morning viewers by declaring she was single just weeks after it was reported that she and her boyfriend were “engaged.”

She got her relationship status wrong when she exclaimed, ‘well, I’m single!’ her as she discussed the new Love Island spinoff with co-host Dermot O’Leary.

As Dermot read the casting call for the new show The Romance Retreat, which would be hosted by Davina McCall, he hinted at his co-star to sign up, saying they were looking for “vibrant single parents.”

To which she replied: ‘Hey, I’m single!

Alison Hammond broke her silence on Sunday after news broke over the weekend that a man had been arrested on suspicion of blackmail.

Taking to Instagram, the presenter shared a beaming selfie from her ‘girls night out’ with her friends Holly Willoughby, Nicole Appleton and Emma Bunton, captioning ‘I needed it.’

West Midlands Police told MailOnline a man had been released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of blackmail.

Ex? Earlier this month, Alison shocked This Morning viewers by declaring that she was single just weeks after it was reported that she and her boyfriend were ‘engaged’ (Ben pictured)

What happened? She got her relationship status wrong when she exclaimed, ‘well, I’m single!’ her while she discussed the new Love Island spinoff show with co-host Dermot O’Leary

Alison allegedly told friends that she gave thousands of pounds and a car to a former friend who threatened to leak false details about her private life.

The force confirmed that it had arrested a 36-year-old man from Warwickshire on suspicion of blackmailing a woman in her 40s.

The man was questioned by police and released on conditional bail on Sunday, it added.

West Midlands Police said on Sunday they “take reports of this kind very seriously” and investigations are “progressing rapidly”.

According Sunthe former Big Brother contestant also gave away a BMW valued at £5,000.

The presenter is said to have reported the incident to the police last week, with a colleague telling the publication that Hammond revealed that he had “reached the end”.

He allegedly showed officers on the force the messages he had received from the man on Tuesday.

The new Great British Bake Off host is said to have fought back tears, claiming she had “trusted” the man when she spoke to a friend.

Speaking up: On Sunday, Alison broke her silence on social media after it was revealed over the weekend that a man had been arrested on suspicion of blackmail

Candid: On Instagram, the presenter shared a beaming selfie from her ‘girls night out’ with friends Holly Willoughby, Nicole Appleton and Emma Bunton adding the caption: ‘I needed that’

I thought you valued our friendship. Now I know that he only wanted me to finance his life of luxury’, Sun informed.

It is claimed that the man took advantage of Alison’s kind nature and they forged an unlikely friendship despite their drug problems.

Alison reportedly told her friend that he brought the demands to her out of the blue after she had been happy to try to help him and spend money on him.

It is claimed that she tried to cut ties with him several times, but he managed to return to her life.

Things came to a boil for Alison when she is reported to have told a colleague last week: “She sent me a message saying if I didn’t give her £3,500 I’d go broke.”

Development: West Midlands Police told MailOnline on Sunday a man had been released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of blackmail

Drama: Alison allegedly told friends she gave thousands of pounds and a car to a former friend who threatened to leak false details about her private life.

I was stunned. I’m still in shock. Having a friend looking to blackmail and extort me is just heartbreaking. I had to realize that I had reached the end and go to the police.

Things came to a boil for Alison when she is reported to have told a colleague last week: “I had to realize I had reached the end and go to the police.”

However, Alison is said to be “genuinely scared” of any retaliation from the man now that she has stopped giving him money and has gone to the authorities.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Alison for comment.

A former holiday representative, he first appeared on British television screens as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002, in which he later admitted that he had only signed up in an attempt to settle a £3,000 debt.

His bubbly personality and warmth soon landed him a spot on This Morning after ITV bosses saw his potential.

Since then her career has gone from strength to strength, recently landing gigs hosting at the BAFTAs and GBBO.