‘Kidnap kit and weapons’: Man accused of plotting to abduct and kill British TV star Holly Willoughby unmasked

Terrifying new details have emerged about a foiled plot to abduct and murder beloved TV star Holly Willoughby, with police making dark findings.

The man accused of plotting to kidnap and murder British television star Holly Willoughby is Gavin Plumb.

A man accused of plotting to kidnap and murder beloved British television star Holly Willoughby has appeared in court, with terrifying new details of his plan revealed.

Police allege 36-year-old security guard Gavin Plumb was preparing to abduct the ITV presenter as soon as this week and had weapons as well as a “kidnap and restraint kit” containing chloroform, cable ties, rope and a blindfold.

Plumb was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap and has appeared in Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court.

The Sun newspaper reported he wore a green T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Aged to Perfection” and spoke only to confirm his name, address and place of employment.

“In this matter, he’s made detailed plans with another to kidnap and murder,” Prosecutor Shefa Begum told the court.

The man accused of plotting to kidnap and murder British television star Holly Willoughby is Gavin Plumb.

Holly Willoughby is a popular personality in the UK, hosting This Morning as well as Bake Off and Dancing on Ice. Picture: Getty

That other individual is said to be an unnamed American man, who allegedly was to travel to the UK this coming week. The Sun described him as being “possibly a hit man”.

“He had arranged flights and transfers for these offences to be carried out,” Ms Begum said.

Plumb was part of a “vast network of like-minded individuals”, she added.

Willoughby, 42, who co-hosts the popular program This Morning, did not appear on the show on Thursday morning, after television executives were alerted to the kidnap plot.

Police believe Gavin Plumb intended to carry out his plot as soon as this coming week.

Reports in the British media indicate she was told just moments before she was due to go on air.

Alleged kidnapper unmasked

Plumb works as a security guard at Pinnacle Shopping Centre in Harlow, a town in the Essex county in England’s south. He had previously worked at McDonald’s and Pizza Hut.

According to The Sun, he is a father with two teenage children.

Plumb featured in a BBC News weight loss segment in 2018, talking about his battle with obesity, which at that point had left him unable to leave his house for four years.

In it, he spoke of binge-eating and drinking 36 bottles of Coca Cola a week to cope with depression.

Holly Willoughby with This Morning with co-star Alison Hammond.

“It‘s a vicious circle,” he told the program. “When I’m depressed, I eat, and when I eat, I’m depressed.

“My weight has always fluctuated. At my heaviest, I was 35-and-a-half stone (225kg). When the weight started to pile on, that was when my mental health really went down.

“For a long time, I found it difficult walking around. But getting to the point of not being able to go out, that really crept up on me.”

Gavin Plumb appeared in a 2018 segment on weight loss on BBC News.

Police raided his home in Harlow on Wednesday and seized a number of items, including the so-called “kidnap and restraint kit” as well as unspecified weapons and electronic devices.

“I saw him being led out of his flat in handcuffs last night at about nine o’clock,” a neighbour told The Sun. “The police car has been there all day. Earlier on there was a forensics van.”

The Daily Mail quoted a source close to Willoughby as saying “sinister and threatening messages” about her had been found on electronic devices.

Essex Police Superintendent Tim Tubbs described the investigation as “extremely fast-paced” and said it involved national authorities, who worked swiftly to secure charges.

“The safeguarding of any victim is paramount, and we will continue to prioritise this as the investigation proceeds,” Superintendent Tubbs told media.

Holly Willoughby and husband Dan Baldwin.

After being told of the plot, a “shocked and distraught” Willoughby returned to her London home, which she shares with her television producer husband Dan Baldwin and their three children.

She is under police guard. ITV has also provided around-the-clock security.

Plumb was denied bail and will next appear in court on 3 November.

Holly Willoughby was reportedly told about the plot moments before she was due to go on air on Thursday.

Holly Willoughby is one of British television's biggest stars.

Britain in shock

There are no plans for Willoughby to return to screens anytime soon, a source told The Sun, and stand-ins have been organised.

“She’s being comforted by her family and has been swamped with support by friends, colleagues and co-presenters,” the source told the newspaper.

On Friday morning, This Morning presenter 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.”

Alison Hammond, filling in for Willoughby, 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.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared on This Morning on Friday and commented on the shocking news.

Revelations of the plot emerged in the press overnight and sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom’s entertainment industry.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak briefly addressed the shocking news during an appearance on This Morning on Friday.

“Before we get going, I’m so sorry to hear everything going on with Holly,” Mr Sunak said. “I just wanted to send my best to her and her family, and to all of you.”

A spokesman for ITV said: “This news has come as a huge shock to everyone at This Morning and ITV. We are providing all of the support we can to Holly and her family at this incredibly distressing time.”