Alison Hammond blackmail case takes huge turn as man’s identity revealed to public

West Midlands Police has closed the investigation into a man accused of blackmailing This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, 49, due to a lack of evidence, it has been claimed

Alison Hammond on ITV show Lorraine in April (
Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

There has been a major update in the police investigation into a man who was accused of blackmailing TV host Alison Hammond, it has been claimed.

In March 2023, a man was arrested after the This Morning presenter sat down with West Midlands Police claiming that he had threatened to “ruin” her career unless she handed over thousands. Due to legal reasons, the alleged blackmailer could not be named at the time.

However, it has now been revealed that the man in question was Alison’s ex Ben Hawkins, whom she dated for 10 months from May 2022. He always denied the allegation and after 18 months, the police force announced they dropped the case due to a lack of evidence.

The TV presenter at the press night performance of the ‘Robin Hood’ pantomime on December 12 ( 
Image:
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Ima)

Alison attending the NTAs 2024 in London in September ( 
Image:
Getty Images for the NTA’s)
Hawkins described the past 18 months as “a nightmare” as he revealed he suffered from anxiety, depression and had “some very dark” thoughts as the police carried their probe out. He told The Sun: “It’s been a nightmare. I was arrested and spent a night in custody and I have been under suspicion for 18 months.

“The police took my passport, they closed my bank account and took some of my possessions. I already had anxiety and depression, but this whole thing has made it worse. I’ve experienced some very dark, suicidal thoughts but have managed to get through it with the help of my parents.

“I’m just trying to get my life back on track.” He added: “The whole process dragged on, I was on police bail for nine months and it took 18 months for them to drop the case.” The newspaper was told by the police force that it carried out “a thorough investigation” and submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined there will be no further action.

According to The Sun, Hawkins, who met the TV host when his dad helped clear the star’s garden, lives with his parents in Redditch, Worcestershire. The pair split in February 2023 and Alison then met Russian model and masseur David Putman, 27, who she is dating now.

Alison remained incredibly coy about her relationship with David until earlier this month, when she finally addressed the age gap.

Opening about their romance, she said she pays no attention to their ages as they balance each other out perfectly. “I can see how, on paper, you’d notice the age difference. But honestly, when we see the word ‘toyboy’ written about us, it bears no relation to what we have at all. Yes, I’m 22 years older than he is, but if you saw us together, you’d understand. People have said to me: ‘We get it now’.”

She added to Good Housekeeping: “He’s so mature and sensible, and I’m so not. And the things he says to me… they’re just so lovely.”