Holly Willoughby has been granted ‘as much time off’ as she requires following the arrest of a man accused of plotting to kidnap and murder her.
On Friday, it was announced that a shopping centre security officer had been held in jail in connection with an alleged plot against the 42-year-old host.
Gavin Plumb has been charged with soliciting the murder of David Nelson and inciting him to conduct kidnapping between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex.
Holly was reportedly yanked from her presenting role at the last minute after ITV executives were informed of her suspected scheme on Thursday morning.
She is now believed to be considering returning to work next week, but a source claims she is unsure whether she is ready to go on television again so soon after the upsetting disclosures.
‘Holly can’t even get her head around returning to the show,’ they said.
‘There are no plans to get her back and stand-in hosts have been found.
‘She’s being comforted by her family and has been swamped with support by friends, colleagues and co-presenters,’ The Sun reported.
They added that her colleagues Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson and Ben Shephard had been ‘sending their love’, while ITV’s Director of Daytime Emma Gormley was ‘in constant contact’.
Alison and Dermot began the breakfast show on Friday morning by expressing their support for Holly.
‘We’re not going to talk too much about it but we have to start with a story about one of our own,’ he began.
‘Holly is on the front pages this morning after police arrested a 36-year-old man over an alleged kidnap plot.
‘He has now been charged by Essex Police.’
Alison, continued: ‘We were obviously all shocked to hear the news and we want to send our love and biggest hugs to Holly and her family.’
Guest Gyles Brandreth added: ‘A big hug to Holly. It’s a rough, tough world at times.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
