Piers Morgan spots telltale sign in Holly Willoughby's This Morning statement

11 October 2023 , 09:43

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Piers Morgan spots telltale sign in Holly Willoughby's This Morning statement

Piers Morgan reckons the last line of Holly Willoughby's statement in which she announced she was quitting This Morning "said it all".

The mum-of-three, 42, decided to step down from the ITV daytime show on Tuesday, after 14 years at the helm. Issuing a statement on Instagram explaining her decision to leave This Morning after being the subject of an alleged kidnap plot, she signed off saying: "I have to make this decision for me and my family", which Piers said he 'completely understood'.

Speaking on his TalkTV show yesterday, he said: "[The] last line said it all to me. This is because she has got young kids, she's thinking, 'My God this is not worth it, I've got one of the best jobs in telly, so what. There is some lunatic out there'. This kind of thing can freak people out and I completely understand it, I really do. She's got a lovely family and she's obviously just thought, 'I'm done'".

Piers Morgan gave his reaction to Holly Willoughby quitting This Morning after 14 years

Holly's exit from This Morning comes after a former Pizza Hut worker was remanded in custody last week charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, is accused of offences including soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap in relation to the broadcaster. He is due to appear in court again on November 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Referencing the Jill Dando documentary on Netflix right now, which explores the murder of the much-loved BBC presenter in 1999, Piers said: "With the Jill Dando documentary on Netflix right now… I really feel for her. I've known Holly a long time. [It's] terrifying."

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Holly was forced to pull out of presenting Thursday's episode of the live daytime ITV show after police told bosses of the alleged kidnap plot. She was subsequently placed under 24-hour police protection and is said to have been left feeling "distraught" over the ordeal.

Friends of the Wylde Moon founder have reportedly been left furious after the TV presenter quit This Morning. One source told us: “She is in a bad way but some things aren’t worth it no matter how much she adored This Morning. It’s terrible that one of our best presenters felt she had no choice.”

Another source told the Mirror: "Holly has been left distraught by the news. At the moment she really is getting through things hour by hour. Her absolute priority is her own safety and that of her family – who are supporting her through this incredibly difficult time."

Addressing the ordeal on This Morning last week, host 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. He has now been charged by Essex Police." Alison Hammond added: "We are obviously all shocked to hear the news and we want to send our love and biggest hugs to Holly and her family."

Victoria Johns