Holly Willoughby: Man in court over alleged kidnap plot

A man has appeared in court charged with soliciting to commit murder over an alleged plot to kidnap TV presenter Holly Willoughby.

Gavin Plumb, of Potters Field, in Harlow, Essex, is also accused of incitement to commit kidnap.

The 36-year-old, who is a security officer at a shopping precinct in the town, appeared for a short hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

Willoughby did not appear on Thursday’s edition of ITV show This Morning.

She was reported to be under police protection at her home on Thursday night.

Mr Plumb, who was wearing a green T-shirt with the slogan “Aged to Perfection”, was remanded in custody to appear for a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 3 November.

He is accused of “soliciting, encouraging, persuading, endeavouring to persuade or proposing to a third party” to murder Willoughby between Tuesday and Wednesday.

It is also alleged that between Monday and Thursday, he was “formulating a plan with a third party”.

He allegedly “encouraged that third party to travel to the UK to carry out the plan” and was “assembling a kidnap and restraint kit, capable of encouraging or assisting the commission of the kidnap” of Willoughby.

The other man was due to arrive in the UK next week from the US, the court heard.

In a statement, Det Supt 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.”

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.”

On This Morning on Friday, presenter Dermot O’Leary said: “We are not going to talk too much about it but Holly is on the front pages after police arrested a 36-year-old man over an alleged kidnap plot.”

Co-presenter Alison Hammond said: “We are obviously all shocked to hear the news and we want to send our love and biggest hugs to Holly and her family.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered his support to Willoughby ahead of an interview on This Morning.

“I was so sorry to hear about everything going on with Holly and I wanted to send my best to her and her family and to all of you,” he said.

Another presenter, Lorraine Kelly, told viewers: “[It’s] very, very upsetting, and of course we are sending Holly all of our love and best wishes.

“That’s a terrible thing to be having to go through for her and her family.”

The charges follow a turbulent few months for Willoughby, 42, who has presented This Morning since 2009.

Her co-presenter Phillip Schofield resigned in May and later admitted lying to colleagues about an affair with a younger colleague.

Willoughby said she would remain as a presenter, but took a break from the programme during the summer.

The BBC approached Willoughby’s agent and publicist to comment on the alleged kidnap plot, but they declined, directing all inquiries to the police.