Alison Hammond has broken her silence on social media after a man was released on bail for reportedly blackmailing her.
The 48-year-old, who regularly presents ITV’s This Morning alongside Dermot O’Leary and was recently announced as the new co-host of The Great British Bake Off, seemed determined to put on a brave face as she posed for a selfie on a girls’ night out with her celebrity friends.
Taking to Instagram, the Birmingham-born star can be seen beaming for the camera alongside alongside the likes of This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton and All Saints singer Nicole Appleton.
“Girls therapy night, needed that,” she wrote in accompanying caption.
It comes after The Sun reported that the mother-of-one was put under pressure by her blackmailer, who threatened to damage her career if she did not hand over money.
West Midlands Police said a 36-year-old-man from Warwickshire was arrested on suspicion of blackmail on Saturday evening and after spending 24 hours in custody where he was questioned, was released on bail.
Police said they were taking Hammond’s allegations “very seriously” and the probe was “progressing swiftly”.
Hammond originally rose to fame as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002 and joined This Morning in the same year.
The in-demand star recently appeared alongside actor Richard E Grant to host the 2023 Baftas.
