Holly Willoughby kidnap cops feared attack within a WEEK by 35st suspect and ‘US hitman’
POLICE fear that an alleged plot to kidnap and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby could have been planned for next week.
Officers are understood to have found chloroform, cable ties, a blindfold and ropes which they believe could be part of a “kidnap and restraint kit”.
The shocking claims came as the security guard accused of being behind it all appeared in court yesterday.
Gavin Plumb, 36, was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap.
The 35-stone father of two appeared at Chelmsford magistrates’ court wearing a green T-shirt with the slogan “Aged to Perfection”.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and where he worked.
Officers are understood to have found chloroform, cable ties, a blindfold and ropes at Plumb’s home in Harlow, Essex, and believe it could be part of a “kidnap and restraint kit”.
Essex Police raided the home on Wednesday night shortly after the Metropolitan Police had been tipped off about the alleged plot.
And it has been alleged that it may have included arranging for a US based man, possibly a hitman, to travel to the UK next week.
Prosecuting, Shefa Begum told the court: “In this matter, he’s made detailed plans with another to kidnap and murder.
“He had arranged flights and transfers for these offences to be carried out.”
Plumb was denied bail by district judge Caroline Jackson and will next appear in the dock on November 3 at Chelmsford crown court.
This Morning presenter Holly, 42, has been under round-the-clock surveillance since details of the alleged plot emerged, with police officers stationed outside the London home she shares with husband Dan Baldwin and their three children.
ITV are also understood to be providing security and support.
Holly is yet to make a statement to the police, according to Evelyn Hicks, who was defending Plumb in court.
Bosses at This Morning were alerted to the alleged plot on Thursday morning and the presenter decided to pull out shortly before she was due on air.
On the show yesterday, regular 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.”
His 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 also briefly addressed the case as he appeared on the show, 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.”
Holly’s ITV colleague Lorraine Kelly addressed the story on 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.”
A spokesman 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.”
Essex Police’s Supt Tim Tubbs said: “This was an extremely fast paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.”
He added: “The safeguarding of any victim is paramount and we will continue to prioritise this as the investigation proceeds.”
Plumb works at Pinnacles Shopping Centre in Harlow having previously had to quit jobs at Pizza Hut and McDonald’s because of his ballooning weight.
In 2018 he appeared in a BBC News feature about weight loss in 2018 where he admitted he had hit 35st after gorging on junk food and drinking 36 pints of cola a week.
He told the BBC’s Radio 5 Live Afternoon Edition: “The last time I went out unaided was 2014.
“My weight has always fluctuated. At my heaviest, I was 35 and a half stone. When the weight started to pile on, that was when my mental health really went down.
“It’s a vicious circle. When I’m depressed, I eat — and when I eat, I’m depressed. For a long time, I found it difficult walking around.
“But getting to the point of not being able to go out, that really crept up on me. I hate sitting indoors. I hate looking at the same four walls 24/7. I hate being the size I am.
“I’m pretty much in pain everywhere. I get chest pains and I’ve just been told it’s because of my weight.
“I’m scared that if I have something to eat or if I get up and I do too much, that’s it, I’m done.”