What happened to Holly Willoughby? ‘Kidnap plot’ explained
HOLLY Willoughby was pulled out of presenting This Morning after detectives smashed a suspected plot to kidnap the popular TV host.
A 36-year-old man was arrested – with the ITV star, 42, put under police guard.
What happened to Holly Willoughby?
Holly pulled out of hosting This Morning on October 5 and was under police guard at her home.
A 36-year-old man was arrested on October 4 by police.
They allegedly found “sinister messages” threatening to kidnap and “seriously harm” the mum-of-three.
The suspect, who is not known to the star, was still in police custody on October 6.
Meanwhile, a marked police car remained outside his ground-floor flat, where he lives alone.
One neighbour in Harlow, Essex, said: “I saw him being led out of his flat in handcuffs last night at about nine o’clock.”
Another added: “The police car has been there all day. Earlier on there was a forensics van.”
It was unclear how police became aware of the alleged plot but it was understood digital devices and a mobile phone were seized.
As detectives continue to investigate, a round-the-clock police guard has been posted outside Holly’s London home, where she lives with her husband and children.
A source said: “Investigations are continuing but police are treating this as a credible conspiracy to kidnap Holly.
“There were apparently some sinister and threatening messages found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her.”
An Essex Police spokesman said last night: “A 36-year-old man from Harlow has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap as part of an ongoing investigation.
“The arrest was made on Wednesday 4 October. He is currently in custody. Enquiries continue.”
Police alerted This Morning bosses to the alleged plot and Holly was informed shortly before she was due on air.
Who hosted This Morning on October 5?
Holly was left “shocked and distraught” and it was decided she should pull out of the show.
Alison Hammond was drafted in as a last minute replacement alongside Jodie Gibson, leaving viewers bewildered.
One viewer tweeted a message saying: “No Holly today?! Devastated.”
Another added: “Not even a mention of why she’s not on today?!”
On the show, Josie skirted round Holly’s absence, saying: “Look who’s joined me. It’s only the one and only Alison Hammond.”
Alison replied: “Oh, Josie! I hope you don’t mind, I got a bit jealous.
“I saw you and Holly and you were talking about being blonde and I thought ‘I’m going to shake this up a bit. I’m getting in there. Is that OK? You don’t mind?”