Holly Willoughby faces disturbing threats
In a distressing turn of events, Holly Willoughby was absent from her usual slot on “This Morning” yesterday (5th October). This was due to a thwarted alleged kidnapping plot, as various reports state.
Holly is “distraught” after discovering she was the target of “sinister” messages which threatened to kidnap and harm her. Consequently, police arrested a 36-year-old man on the evening of Wednesday. Police guards have been established outside Willoughby’s £3m south-west London home where she resides with her spouse and three children.
Details of the arrest
Moreover, an Essex Police spokesperson conveyed to The Independent: “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 4 October. He is currently in custody.”
Subsequently, confusion increased when Alison Hammond appeared as a spur-of-the-moment replacement for the 42-year-old presenter. Adding to the mystery, Hammond did not mention Willoughby’s absence and did not provide any reason for standing in. This caused viewers to raise questions about the abrupt substitution.
Subsequent actions and statements
In addition, police purportedly informed This Morning officials about the alleged conspiracy early on Thursday morning, which led to the decision that Willoughby would not make her appearance on the show. A source confided in The Sun, stating: “Investigations are continuing but police are treating this as a credible conspiracy to kidnap Holly. There were apparently some sinister and threatening messages found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her.”
Beyond this, Willoughby has navigated through a tempestuous few previous months, in light of the scandal involving her former co-star, Phillip Schofield, following his admission to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male employee. Schofield, aged 61, immediately resigned from ITV after acknowledging that he misled producers, colleagues, and his agent regarding the relationship.
In an ensuing dialogue with the BBC’s Amol Rajan, Schofield conveyed his apologies to Willoughby for his deception, stating: “The last time we had a conversation was when I texted Holly and said, ‘Don’t reply’ – this was after the statement last week – ‘Don’t reply, you’re probably not allowed to, but I am deeply deeply sorry that I lied to you.’” He also shared with The Sun that the affair “was the one secret in our sanctuary that was never mentioned,” and that he has “lost my best friend”.
Finally, Holly Willoughby returned to “This Morning” after going on a scheduled holiday, where she issued a second statement to viewers about the controversy, and then returned once again in September.