05 October 2023 , 21:02
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ITV presenter Holly Willoughby is under police guard following an alleged plot to kidnap her.
She was pulled from Thursday's This Morning show at the last minute after being told of the alleged threat. The star is said to be 'distraught' and being watched by a round-the-clock police guard at her home.
Essex police said a 36-year-old man was arrested at a flat in Harlow on Wednesday evening on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap.
The TV presenter is said to have found out on Thursday morning and taken out of ITV's schedule as a result. Police reportedly alerted producers just moments before Holly was due on air.
Police remained outside the suspect's flat on Thursday. Officers are also outside Holly's home where she lives with her husband Daniel Baldwin and their sons Harry and Chester and daughter Belle.
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ITV are also providing round the clock security and support alongside the police, the PA news agency understands.
Holly was pulled out of Thursday's episode of This Morning (ITV)Essex Police said in a statement: “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 October 4. He is currently in custody.”
The Sun reports that police found "sinister messages" allegedly threatening to "seriously harm" the mum-of-three. The outlet reports the arrested man is not known to the star.
"Investigations are continuing but police are treating this as a credible conspiracy to kidnap Holly," another source told The Sun. "There were apparently some sinister and threatening messages found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her."
ITV brought in Alison Hammond to stand in for Holly as she joined Josie Gibson last-minute. "Look who’s joined me," Josie said during the show's opener, not revealing where Holly was. "It's only the one and only Alison Hammond."
Viewers quickly flocked to Twitter (X) after noticing the presenter's strange absence. One wrote: "Not even a mention of why she’s not on today?" While someone else penned: "No Holly today?! Devastated."
Holly has been presenting alongside Josie Gibson (ITV)Another viewer said: "Just tuned in, is Holly ill or just 'off'?" Another asked: "Where’s Holly I missed the beginning #ThisMorning." Someone else quipped: "Holly having a day off!!"
ITV colleague Lorraine Kelly addressed the story on Friday’s episode of 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.”
Senior staff have been looking for a permanent presenter to work alongside Holly Willoughby on the sofa after Phillip Schofield's sensational exit earlier this year. Ever since Phillip's departure from ITV and This Morning in May after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal affair", there has been a rotating set of presenters working alongside Holly.
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Holly, Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Craig Doyle, Josie Gibson and Ben Shephard have all stepped in to co-host the show.