TV presenter Holly Willoughby quits after plot exposed

Beloved breakfast television host Holly Willoughby has sensationally ended her 14-year run after a kidnap plot was exposed.

Holly Willoughby has quit. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

British TV presenter Holly Willoughby has sensationally quit her This Morning presenting role after 14 years.

The star, 42, thanked her viewers as she shared an emotional statement revealing she has left the ITV show.

It comes just days after it was revealed Holly was the victim of an alleged foiled kidnap plot.

In an Instagram post today, Holly wrote: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.

“This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. I will not be returning to This Morning.

“Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.

“Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal so supportive and the very best company every day.

“Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’.

“It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go.

“Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much. Holly.”

Holly Willoughby made the decision for her family. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Holly’s surprise exit comes after a turbulent year for the queen of daytime TV.

She and co-host Philip Schofield were blasted over jumping the queue to see Her Majesty lying-in-state at Westminster Hall in September last year.

Then, in May came the shock revelation that Holly’s co-star Schofield had an affair with a young employee, which later saw him resign from the show.

Having lost her sidekick of 14 years, Holly then faced last week’s horrific alleged kidnap plot which saw Gavin Plumb, 36, of Essex, accused of contacting a “hitman” in the US and allegedly making a restraint kit as part of a plan to snatch the mum of three.

It is understood that officers found chloroform, cable ties, a blindfold and ropes at Plumb’s home when they raided it last week.

He was arrested by Essex Police officers on October 4.

Plumb appeared in court on October 6, accused of soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap.

The defendant was denied bail by district judge Caroline Jackson and will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 3.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby from Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate said: “This was an extremely fast-paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.

“The safeguarding of any victim is paramount and we will continue to prioritise this and working with the Metropolitan Police Service as the investigation proceeds.”

Holly was put under 24-hour surveillance when details of the alleged plot emerged.

Bosses at This Morning were alerted on Thursday morning and the presenter decided to pull out shortly before she was due on air.

Plumb, a dad-of-one, worked as a security guard at the Pinnacles Shopping Centre in Harlow, Essex.

He has also worked as a kitchen assistant at Pizza Hut until 2012 and once had a job at McDonald’s.

Gavin Plumb appeared in court last week accused of plotting to kidnap and murder the This Morning host.

Following Holly’s shocking resignation, Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, ITV said: “We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.

“Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK.

“She has been at the heart of This Morning for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers. Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the program will miss her enormously.

“She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.”

Holly has been inundated with support after we revealed details of the alleged plot.

She was said to likely to be absent from This Morning for weeks and pulled out of a red carpet event in London this week.

Her co-stars have rallied behind her after she made the shock revelation she’s decided to leave the show.

Alison Hammond wrote: “This is a very sad day! Love you.”

TV cook Juliet Sear added: “So sad to see you go Holly wishing you loads of positive things for your new chapter.

“It’s been wonderful working with you for the last 8 years and making your birthday cakes to for the last 14.

“Lots of love to you and you family.”

Vanessa Feltz said: “We will miss you so very much my darling.”

Former co-star and close friend Philip Schofield said: “I was so sorry to hear about everything going on with Holly and I wanted to send my best to her and her family and to all of you.”

Since Schofield’s exit from the show, Craig Doyle has been a regular face on This Morning, and also showed his support for Holly, writing: “We are so supportive of you and we love you to bits, we just wish it didn’t end this way. It's a sad day for everyone.”

Holly Willoughby resigned after a tumultuous year. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

In an email sent out to staff, and seen by The Sun, the ITV Daytime managing director said they were supporting Holly as much as they could through the “distressing time”.

Boss Emma Gormley said she knew many staff had also been “deeply affected” by the news of the alleged plot.

She said many would be wondering when the host would return, but that at this stage they were focusing on the “safety and wellbeing” of Holly and her family.

Ms Gormley’s email read: “I wanted to reassure you that throughout this distressing time, we have been in constant contact with Holly and the authorities and we are providing all the support we can.

“Inevitably there is already speculation about when Holly will return. However, our priority right now is the safety and wellbeing of Holly and her family.”

TV cook, Juliet Sear, shared that she was “sad” to hear the news, but also wished Holly ‘”loads of positive things” in her “new chapter”.

She wrote: “It’s been wonderful working with you for the last 8 years and making your birthday cakes to for the last 14.

“Lots of love to you and you family.”

Lorraine Kelly, told viewers: “It is very, very upsetting, and of course we are sending Holly all of our love and best wishes.

“That’s a terrible thing to be having to go through for her and her family.”

Carole Vorderman has also shown her support, and shared a message on Instagram reading: “Wishing you and your family peace and strength in what must be a very difficult time after the news of last week Holly x from my time on TM, I know that the team will miss you very much. Take care.”

Presenter Rochelle Humes commented on Holly’s heartbreaking post: “This is a sad day. We love you x.”

Meanwhile BBC Radio 2 legend Zoe Ball penned: “Bless you H”, and Gareth Gates posted a love heart emoji.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, also said previously following the alleged kidnap plot reveal: “I was so sorry to hear about everything going on with Holly and I wanted to send my best to her and her family and to all of you.”

Former TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent further added support and commented: “Sending you all my love.”

And fellow Essex co-star, Bobby Norris, also wrote: “Sending you and your family so much love!”

Holly’s fans have flooded her Instagram statement with emotional tributes.

One penned: “Soo soo sad to read this. You brought a smile to our faces during what has been a depressing few years for many.

“Family first as always. Stay safe, stay strong, and wishing you all the best for the future.”

Another commented: “Awh sad reading this, but you have to do what’s right for yourself and your family, loved watching you you're the best, sending lots of love and hugs to you.x”

“Thank you for keeping me company every day while I raised my boys. It was lovely to meet you at Pride of Britain last year. I wish you and your family all the best,” agreed a third.

One devastated fan shared: “Honestly @hollywilloughby I’m absolutely gutted. You are the only reason I watch the show.

“You were absolutely an angel during Covid and kept so many people going.

“After all you’ve been through I understand your decision but am so gutted.”

This article was originally published by The Sun and reproduced with permission