A popular British morning show presenter couldn’t partake in her daily show after a sick plot to kidnap and kill her was discovered but UK police.
The UK Sun reports that Holly Willoughby, who hosts ITV’s “This Morning” had to be pulled from air Thursday after the shocking plan came to light.
Willoughby, 42, was in distress when the Metropolitan police informed her that 36-year-old suspect, Gavin Plumb’s had sadistically plotted to kill her. This revelation came just moments before she was scheduled to appear on her morning show. As a result, she did not appear on the show on Thursday or Friday and was placed under police protection at her London residence, where she lives with her husband and three kids.
Currently ,the motive is not clear, but authorities found twisted messages on Plumb’s electronic devices. He works at a mall as security and Willoughby has never met him before. Plumb is accused of “soliciting, encouraging, persuading, endeavoring to persuade or proposing to a third party” to kidnap and kill Willoughby between Tuesday and Wednesday.
“This was an extremely fast-paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges,” Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said to the Telegraph. “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.”
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He also reportedly enlisted someone from the US and “encouraged that third party to travel to the UK to carry out the plan.” In addition, Plumb was “assembling a kidnap and restraint kit, capable of encouraging or assisting the commission of the kidnap” of the star. The other man will arrive in the UK next week from the US, per the court.
District Judge Caroline Dickson told Plumb that, “This is a really serious allegation. The case against you is you had items in your home which were used in the preparation to carry out these offenses.”
The case has been expedited directly to Chelmsford Crown Court, where Plumb is scheduled to appear on November 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. District Judge Caroline Jackson ordered him to remain in custody until his upcoming court appearance. Holly is currently on round the clocks police protection. As of now, it is not clear when she will return to the show.
Incident Comes After Turbulent Time
This incident comes off the heels of a tumultuous period for Willoughby, who has been a host on “This Morning” since 2009. She was previously embroiled in the scandal involving her former co-star Phillip Schofield, who acknowledged having an “unwise but not illegal” sexual relationship with a younger male colleague.
