Holly Willoughby's kidnap and murder plot ordeal explained ahead of Channel 5 documentary
Holly Willoughby's horrific murder plot ordeal is being explored in Channel 5's new documentary, The Plot to Kill Holly Willoughby, with the one-off film looking at how security guard Gavin Plumb was convicted of planning to rape and kill the TV presenter.
Gavin Plumb, a shopping centre security officer, was found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning host last July. He was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison as a result. The mum-of-three was preparing to present This Morning at ITV studios on 5th October 2023, a day that started as any other Thursday, when she was informed of the chilling plot and taken off-air.
Alison Hammond stepped up at the last minute to fill in for Holly, presenting the show with Josie Gibson as police relayed the horrifying details of the plot to her co-star.
Essex Police released a statement at the time, stating: "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 4th October. He is currently in custody."
In the aftermath, Holly was under constant police protection, with officers seen outside her London home, which she shares with husband Dan Baldwin and their three children.
The TV star didn't publicly comment on the alleged plot or the suspect's arrest and stayed off our screens for over a week, before then confirming her permanent departure from This Morning.
On 10th October, the beloved presenter Holly Willoughby took to Instagram to share her heartfelt departure from This Morning after a remarkable 14-year stint. She expressed to her fans: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has so many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I feel I have to make this decision for me and my family."
She continued with a touching message: "This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I will forever be proud of what we have done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You have been so supportive and the very best company every day."
In a stark contrast to the warmth of her farewell, the following month saw a chilling development in court. On 3rd November, Gavin Plumb appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for a pre-trial and plea hearing concerning alarming charges against him.
Accused of plotting a grave crime, he faced allegations of conspiring to murder Willoughby and was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to kidnap.
Plumb, hailing from Potters Field, Harlow, firmly denied the accusations, pleading not guilty. However, in July last year, the court heard how Plumb had planned a "home invasion" at the TV presenter's property, plotting to tie her up and rape her before murdering her.
The 36-year-old had amassed over 10,000 images of the This Morning star on his phone, including deepfake pornography. His plan was foiled by undercover American police officer David Nelson who infiltrated his online group Abduct Lovers. The pair then began exchanging messages offline, with Plumb detailing his plan.
Plumb and Nelson exchanged 300 messages privately with the officer having monitored a public group called Abduct Lovers on the Kik app where the defendant had tried to recruit others to help attack Holly Willoughby.
The detective told Chelmsford Crown Court that he was sure Plumb 'fully intended to carry out his plans'. Essex Police officers who raided Plumb's flat in Harlow found bottles of chloroform and an "abduction kit" complete with cable ties.
After being found guilty, Plumb was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years and 85 days. Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'The sentence handed down to Gavin Plumb ensures he will remain in prison, where he can no longer threaten or harm women.
'There is no doubt Gavin Plumb posed a real danger and the CPS proved that his plans to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby were more than mere fantasy and he had every intention of encouraging others to help him.
'I hope today's sentence brings some comfort to the victim, as well as the victims of his previous offences and sends a clear message that the CPS will always bring the strongest possible case against those who plan violence against women.'
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