A SUSPECTED plot to kidnap This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby has been busted.
The 42-year-old retired from hosting yesterday’s This Morning and was under police guard at her home last night.
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Holly Willoughby is said to be ‘distraught’ over suspicions of a planned kidnappingCredit: Getty
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The ITV star was under police guard at her home last nightCredit: The Sun
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A man, 36, was arrested after police allegedly found ‘sinister messages’ threatening to kidnap and ‘seriously harm’ the TV starCredit: The Sun
It came after police on Wednesday night arrested a 36-year-old man who allegedly found “sinister messages” threatening to kidnap and “seriously harm” the mum-of-three.
The suspect, who is not known to the star, was in police custody last night.
In the meantime, a police car with markings remained in front of his ground-floor apartment where he lives alone.
A neighbor in Harlow, Essex, said: “I saw him being taken out of the flat at about nine o’clock last night in handcuffs.”
Another added: “The police car is there all day. There used to be a forensics van.”
It is not clear how the police found out about the alleged conspiracy, but it is assumed that digital devices and a mobile phone were confiscated.
As detectives continue their investigation, a 24-hour police watch has been placed outside Holly’s London home, where she lives with her husband and children.
A source said: “Enquiries are continuing but police are treating this as a credible plot to kidnap Holly.
“Apparently some sinister and threatening messages were found on electronic devices that threatened to seriously harm her.”
Police warned This Morning bosses of the alleged plot early yesterday.
Holly was notified shortly before she was due to go on air.
She was left “shocked and distraught” and it was decided to withdraw from the show.
Alison Hammond was called in as a last-minute replacement alongside Josie Gibson, who co-hosted Wednesday’s show with Holly.
Viewers were left bemused as Josie skirted her absence by saying: “Look who’s joined me.
“It’s the one and only Alison Hammond.”
Alison then joked that she was “jealous” of her and Holly.
One fan posted: “No Holly today?! Destroyed.”
Another added: “No mention of why she’s gone today?!”
Holly was due to celebrate her TV producer husband Daniel Baldwin’s 49th birthday with their children Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and eight-year-old Chester.
The incident comes after a turbulent year for the star, who has hosted This Morning since 2009.
Last September, she and then-co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of jumping the queue to pay tribute to the late Queen.
She later issued a statement explaining that she was there as an accredited broadcaster for the filmed segment.
Holly added, “Please know that we would never skip a line.”
This May, Schofield (61) quit his job after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague.
Schofield also revealed that he lied about it when he confronted Holly.
She later told viewers she felt “shaken and let down”.
However, she was widely mocked for opening the show by asking the camera, “Are you okay?”
ITV launched a review on This Morning over claims of a “toxic culture”, which led to a backlash from viewers.
Last month, Holly failed to win the National Television Awards for the first time in 12 years.
A spokesman for Essex Police said last night: “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.
“Inquiries continue.”
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The mum-of-three, 42, stepped down from hosting Yesterday’s This MorningCredit: Rex
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Alison Hammond was called in as a last-minute replacement alongside Josie GibsonCredit: Eroteme
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Holly was left ‘shocked and distraught’ after police informed her of an alleged kidnapping plot shortly before she was due to take off Credit: Rex
FEARS AFTER THE YEAR OF HELL
From Clemmie Moodie
DAY after day we see Holly Willoughby smiling and playfully presenting live from the This Morning couch.
She had a professional year from hell.
A public feud with her former best friend Phillip Schofield led to attacks from all corners.
Holly was mocked and ridiculed – with people so gleefully eager to see her lose her golden girl crown.
But no TV job, no amount of fame, money or recognition is worth the pain and worry that Holly and her family must be going through right now.
And absolutely no one should be afraid in their own home to do the work they love.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education