Alison Hammond’s ex-partner has been revealed as the man who was charged for trying to ‘blackmail’ her.
Last year it was first reported West Midlands Police had charged a man after he demanded large sums of money from the This Morning star and allegedly threatened to ‘ruin’ her career by releasing false stories to the press.
However nearly two years on, the charges have been dropped, with Alison’s ex Ben Hawkins revealing himself as the man arrested in connection with the claims.
Ben, who dated Alison, 49, for nearly a year from May 2022 has always denied the allegations, which were recently dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Now the 38-year-old, who is a former cocaine addict, said the ordeal had been a ‘nightmare’.
‘I was arrested and spent a night in custody, and I have been under suspicion for 18-months,’ he said.
‘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,’ he added when speaking to The Sun.
Hawkins, who was rarely pictured with Alison, went on to share he’d experienced some ‘very dark, suicidal thoughts but have managed to get through it with the help of my parents’.
He went on to say he was now ‘trying to get my life back on track’ after the process ‘dragged on’.
Speaking on Friday, West Midlands Police shared: ‘We carried out a thorough investigation and submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service for assessment.’
‘CPS has concluded that there will be no further action.
‘We have passed on this information to all parties involved.’
Alison met her ex when his dad helped clear her garden.
Soon after the blackmail allegations were made public, Alison confirmed she was single in March 2023.
Speaking on This Morning, she said: ‘More people are wanting to meet people out and about and having a green ring might be a good idea so that people know you’re single. As you can see, I’ve got my single ring on,’ she said.
The TV presenter is now dating Russian model and masseur David Putman, 27, whom she met when becoming a client of his last year.
They confirmed their relationship earlier this year with Alison also sharing her son Aiden, 19, approved and thought David was ‘lovely’.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping UK earlier this month, Alison addressed criticisms about their age difference.
‘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,’ she said.
‘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. And the things he says to me…they’re just so lovely. It’s like a jigsaw; we fit, and it all comes together.’
Metro has contacted representatives for Alison Hammond for comment.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1.
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