After learning of an alleged kidnapping attempt, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary launched Friday’s This Morning by expressing their love to Holly Willoughby.
A man has been charged and identified in connection with the alleged conspiracy to abduct the This Morning host.
Holly, 42, allegedly left the ITV programme on Thursday, and her London house is being watched by police.
Gavin Plumb, 36, was detained on Wednesday and accused with soliciting murder and inciting kidnapping.
The suspect is unknown to Holly, according to reports, and ITV executives were notified to the suspected plot on Thursday morning, leaving Josie Gibson and Alison to co-host This Morning when Holly dropped out just before her scheduled appearance.
Dermot and Big Brother’s Alison began Friday’s This Morning with a greeting for Holly.
The former X Factor host, 50, said: ‘We’re not going to talk too much about it but we have to start with a story about one of our own.
‘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, 48, 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.’
Fans have also sent their messages of support, with one writing: ‘Sending big love to Holly, Nobody should be as frightened as she must be right now.’
Meanwhile, Lorraine Kelly sent her ‘love and best wishes’ to Holly during her ITV daytime programme, saying: ‘Of course we are sending Holly all of our love and best wishes, that is a terrible thing to be having to go through for her and her family.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
