A MAN has been charged with allegedly plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby.
Gavin Plumb, 36, is charged with solicitation to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnapping.
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A man has been charged with an alleged plot to kidnap Holly WilloughbyCredit: Getty
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The ITV star was under police guard at her home last nightCredit: The Sun
He will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today after being taken into custody by officers on Wednesday.
Superintendent Tim Tubbs said: “This was an extremely fast-paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.
“The protection of every victim is paramount and we will continue to make that a priority as the investigation progresses.”
Holly, 42, was forced to step down as host of This Morning yesterday, to be replaced by Alison Hammond.
She was under police guard at the home she shares with husband Dan Baldwin after the alleged plot was foiled.
Police alerted This Morning bosses to the alleged plot early on Thursday and Holly was informed 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, Phillip 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”.
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.
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Holly was forced to quit presenting This Morning Credit: Rex
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Alison Hammond was called in as a last-minute substitute alongside Josie Gibson
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She was on the Wednesday show with Josie GibsonCredit: Rex
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Holly was due to celebrate the 49th birthday of her TV producer husband, Daniel Baldwin. Credit: Instagram
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She recently returned to This Morning after a summer breakCredit: Wyldemoon
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