A police investigation into a blackmail and extortion plot against TV host Alison Hammond has been dropped.
The This Morning host Alison, 48, claimed she was forced to hand over thousands of pounds in cash to a man who threatened to make public false details of her private life if she did not give in to his demands.
She told police he threatened to try and end her career with the made up information if she did not also buy him a £5,000 BMW car.
The man accused was Alison’s ex Ben Hawkins, an alleged former crack cocaine addict, who dated Alison for ten months from May 2022.
West Midlands Police has since dropped the case due to a lack of evidence, it has been reported.
Ben, 38, who always denied the allegation, revealed he has been under police suspicion for 18 months and spent a night in custody during the investigation.
He added that police took his passport, closed his bank account and seized his possessions.
Speaking to the Sun, he said: ‘I already had anxiety and depression, but this whole thing has made it worse.
Alison Hammond claimed she was forced to hand over thousands of pounds in cash to a man who threatened to make public false details of her private life if she did not give to the demands
The man accused was Alison’s ex Ben Hawkins (pictured right)
Alison and Ben, who now lives with his parents in Redditch, Worcestershire, split in February 2023
‘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.’
Ben, who met Alison when his dad helped clear her garden, added that he was police bail for nine months with it taking 18 months for the case to be dropped.
West Midlands Police said on Wednesday that a ‘thorough investigation’ had been carried out and files had been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for assessment.
The force added that the CPS concluded there will be no further action and all parties involved have been informed.
Alison and Ben, who lives with his parents in Redditch, Worcestershire, split in February 2023.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Alison for comment.
The TV host is now dating Russian masseur Davit Putman, 27. The pair have been dating since 2023 and have tried to keep their relationship private.
The This Morning host, 49, and Russian masseur, Davit Putman 27, have been dating since 2023 but has tried to keep their relationship private
But opening up in Good Housekeeping UK‘s January issue, Alison said her and David ‘fit like a jigsaw’ as she revealed their traits balance each other out.
Speaking about their 22-year age gap, Alison said: ‘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.” He’s so mature and sensible, and I’m so not.
She added: ‘And the things he says to me…they’re just so lovely. It’s like a jigsaw; we fit and it all comes together.’