David Letterman’s blackmailer exposed as top TV producer

The man who allegedly tried to extort £1.3 million from US talk show host David Letterman, blackmailing him over his sexual affairs with several female members of staff, has been exposed as a top TV producer.

The blackmailer was arrested on Thursday, after Letterman approached authorities to tell them that someone was demanding money from him to keep the information out of the public domain.

CBS network chiefs have reportedly revealed that the alleged extortionist was producer Robert 'Joe' Halderman, who works on the channel's true crime programme 48 Hours. It is said that Halderman was involved in a relationship with Letterman's former assistant Stephanie Birkitt, who allegedly enjoyed an affair with the host until 2003.

"CBS was made aware of an ongoing police investigation involving David Letterman and an employee at 48 Hours, who was subsequently arrested earlier today on charges of attempted grand larceny in the first degree," The Daily Express quoted a statement released by TV bosses on Thursday as reading. Halderman has been suspended from his job pending further investigation.