HOLLY Willoughby has quit This Morning amid an alleged kidnap and murder plot against the popular TV presenter.
She has told ITV she will not return to This Morning, adding in a social media post that it has been an “honour to just be part of its story”, but “I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family."
It come after a shopping centre security officer was in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby.
Gavin Plumb is charged with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex.
The charges indicate the defendant is accused of planning to assemble a “kidnap and restraint kit” and encouraging a third party to travel to the UK to carry out the alleged offences.
The 36-year-old appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in a green T-shirt with the slogan “Aged to Perfection” on Friday, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and where he worked.
The court heard Plumb is alleged to have conspired online with another man and created a “detailed plan” to carry out the offences.
The other man was due to arrive in the UK next week from the US, the court heard.
Bosses at the ITV show were alerted to the alleged plot on Thursday morning and the presenter decided to pull out shortly before she was due to go on air, the Sun newspaper reported.
ITV are also providing round-the-clock security and support for Willoughby, alongside the police, the PA news agency understands.
Willoughby’s ITV colleague Lorraine Kelly addressed the story on Friday’s episode of her programme Lorraine, saying it was “very, very upsetting”.
She added: “Of course we are sending Holly all of our love and best wishes, that is a terrible thing to be having to go through for her and her family.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also addressed the case as he appeared on This Morning on Friday, saying: “Before we get going, I’m so sorry to hear everything going on with Holly.
“I just wanted to send my best to her and her family, and to all of you.”
An ITV boss said the broadcaster is looking forward to working with Holly Willoughby “in the future” following the news she is quitting This Morning.
In a statement, Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, said: “We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
“Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK.
“She has been at the heart of This Morning for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers.
“Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously.
“She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.”
Plumb, from Harlow, was remanded into custody by District Judge Caroline Jackson until a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 3.
