06 October 2023 , 17:49
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Holly Willoughby was told of an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her moments before she was due to present This Morning. ITV bosses pulled her appearance on Thursday's programme, placing the star into protection by police officers.
Cops surrounded her home, shared with husband Daniel Baldwin and their sons Harry and Chester and daughter Belle, as Alison Hammond was forced to step in last-minute, leaving Holly with "around-the-clock" police guards.
Essex Police arrested 36-year-old Gavin Plumb on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap on Wednesday night, as officers confirmed an "ongoing investigation". Here The Mirror explains everything we know so far about the scary situation.
Holly was pulled from Thursday's episode of This Morning (ITV)Who is Gavin Plumb?
Plumb is an ex-Pizza Hut employee who worked as a shopping centre security guard. He has been remanded in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Holly. Gavin is charged with offences including soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex.
Plumb was remanded into custody by District Judge Caroline Jackson until a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 3.
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Plumb is a former Pizza Hut workerWhat is Gavin Plumb accused of?
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. He 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.
What are the police saying?
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, of Essex Police, said: "This was an extremely fast paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.
"The safeguarding of any victim is paramount and we will continue to prioritise this and working with the Metropolitan Police Service as the investigation proceeds." It is not known how police became aware of the alleged kidnap plot – but it has been said that digital devices and a mobile phone were seized.
What happened to Holly Willoughby?
This Morning 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. ITV are also providing round-the-clock security and support for Willoughby, alongside the police, the PA news agency understands.
What has Holly said about the kidnap plans?
Holly was reportedly "in bits" and her close friends claim the presenter was left "shaken, petrified and unable to take in" what's happened. Speaking to Mail Online, one source claimed: "Holly couldn't believe that she got up one morning and that's how the day went. It is absolutely awful, it's difficult to find the words."
Another added: "There have been several stages of this, which have shocked Holly more as she learned more. Thursday was not a good day for her. It was frightening and distressing as she learned the breakdown of the accusations. It terrified her."
Holly is yet to publicly address allegations, but 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."
What has ITV said?
A spokesperson for ITV said: "This news has come as a huge shock to everyone at This Morning and ITV. We are providing all of the support we can to Holly and her family at this incredibly distressing time."
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