Holly Willoughby has reflected on the terrifying kidnapping plot that prompted her departure from This Morning, saying that it put everything “into perspective”.
The beloved broadcaster quit ITV’s daytime show in October 2023 followed a distressing year that culminated in the charging of a man, Gavin Plumb, over his plan to kidnap Willougby, 45.
Plumb, 38, was sentenced to life in 2024 after being unanimously convicted of soliciting murder and encouraging or assisting others to rape and kidnap Willoughby, with the presenter now opening up about the experience for the first time.
“When something like that happens, suddenly everything else gets put into perspective and you know what? I don’t fear what people think because I know what real fear feels like,” she told Grazia.
Willoughby’s tumultuous 2023 began in May with the departure of her long-time This Morning co-host and then-best friend Phillip Schofield, after he admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague on the set of the ITV show.
Willoughby remained at This Morning, but announced her departure in October one week after Plumb was charged with soliciting to commit murder. “It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family,” she said at the time.
Plumb was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years in July 2024, following a trial in which his plans to “ambush” Willoughby at her family home and transport her to a “dungeon”-type room where she’d be kept captive were revealed.
Willoughby waived her right to anonymity (which is usually granted to alleged victims of sexual offence), and has now said that while this “really difficult time” set her back, it ultimately showed she was “very resilient”.
“I’m not going to sit here and go, ‘I’m so strong now’, because I’m not, but I’m stronger in many ways,” she said.
Since leaving This Morning, Willoughby’s TV appearances have been far less frequent. She hosted the TV series Celebrity Bear Hunt, You Bet! and Dancing On Ice, but has been on air sporadically since the latter series was put on pause last year.
Now, she’s returning to speak to the public with her lifestyle channel Together, which launches next week (28 July) and will see Willoughby cover topics such as practical advice, fashion, beauty and health.
The mother-of-three said that, after her terrifying ordeal, returning to the screen felt far less intimidating.
“This shouldn’t be scary,” she said. “This should be something really enjoyable. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But you have to have a go. What’s the other option? Just sitting scared and never doing a thing again?”
