Holly Willoughby quit This Morning in 2023 after a horrifying kidnap plot against her was foiled – and she exited the ITV show five months after disgraced co-star Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby has said it was “easy” to reach her decision to quit This Morning two years ago.

The 43-year-old mother-of-three was a co-host on ITV’s long-running daytime TV show from 2009 until she abruptly quit in 2023 after it was discovered a man plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her.

Next month, Holly will appear as a host on a new Netflix reality show called Celebrity Bear Hunt which will see a number of stars attempt to avoid detection from adventurer Bear Grylls while traversing jungle ground in Costa Rica. It has been billed as her blockbuster return to TV after she quit This Morning – although she does continue to host ITV’s winter sport reality contest Dancing On Ice.

This weekend, Holly has candidly opened up about the end of her time at This Morning – presenting role that cemented her as a household name after she began her career working in kids TV and light entertainment. On October 5, 2023, Holly was rushed to safety after police informed her of Gavin Plumb’s vile plot. She was replaced on the ITV flagship show by Alison Hammond.

And in a concise seven words about her departure, she declared: “The choice was really simple and easy.”

Holly hosted This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield from 2009 until 2023 ( 
Image:
ITV)
Speaking to The Sunday Times Style magazine, she reflected on whether or not it was “terrifying” to walk away from the job that had been her steady form of income for well over a decade. She replied: “That question is wrapped up in so many things that were going on at that time. But no. That was the last thing on my mind. The choice [to step away] was really simple and easy, actually.”

When the details surrounding the plot emerged, Holly was forced to miss out on important things with her children, including taking them to school and attending assemblies. But Holly also admits that she’s now grateful for the time she had with her children before they progress with their education.

Holly stunned fans in October 2023 when she revealed she was quitting This Morning with immediate effect. She announced in a statement at the time: “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. 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.”

The details of Plumb’s vile plans were too disturbing to be reported ( 
Image:
PA)
Gavin Plumb was found guilty of soliciting murder, encouraging or assisting the commission of kidnap, and encouraging or assisting the commission of rape and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years for his vile crimes. During the trial, Holly waived her right to anonymity, although her victim impact statement was not shared. Judge Mr Justice Edward Murray who sentenced Plumb stated that his plans were too disturbing to be reported.

He added that the classified document should only be shown to those who “needed to see it.” He explained that the offences had life-changing consequences for Holly, both personally and professionally, after Plumb had managed to discover details about her journey to work as well as accurate timings. Mr Justice Edward Murray also told Plumb he had “no doubt” the security guard’s plans for Willoughby were “considerably more than a fantasy”. “I have no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you,” he told the court.

He was sentenced to life behind bars and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years ( 
Image:
PA)
Although Holly decided to keep her witness statement private, Alison Morgan KC told the court: “What I can say, and I make this submission from the prosecution… it is abundantly clear that in making that statement the prosecution submits the impact of this offending has been life-changing for the victim of these offences – both in private and personal terms – private, personal and indeed professional.

“It is clear, the prosecution submits… that the extent of the shock and fear caused by this offending has been impossible to convey.” She added that the plans had a “catastrophic impact” on her life and there were “no meaningful mitigating factors” and urged for Plumb to be handed a life sentence.

Fans can watch Holly presenting Celebrity Bear Hunt when it becomes available to stream via Netflix on 5 February. Spice Girl Mel B, TV host Steph McGovern and Strictly judge Shirley Ballas are among the stars taking part on the show.

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