Man charged with plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby

Police have charged a 36-year-old man with conspiring to kidnap TV presenter Holly Willoughby.

The defendant, Gavin Plumb, from Potters Field near Harlow, faces charges of ‘soliciting to commit murder, incitement to commit rape, and incitement to commit kidnap’.

Essex Police arrested him on Wednesday, and he will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby from Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate 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.”

Due to the incident, Willoughby, 42, decided not to present This Morning on Thursday.

The presenter has had a challenging year, which began when she was accused of skipping the queue to see The Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall in September 2022.

In May her long-standing friend and This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield left the show under a cloud after he admitted to having an affair with a much-younger colleague.