Holly Willoughby has shared a heartbreaking five word verdict on her hellish 18 months.
The TV presenter, 43, took a break from the public eye for some time after police uncovered a plot by Gavin Plumb to kidnap, rape and murder her. On October 4, 2023, he was arrested for solicitation and incitement over the plot. Plumb had contacted a man in America to help him with his plan – unaware that the man was an undercover police officer.
Holly was informed about the plot just one day later and was immediately taken off air and rushed to safety, with Alison Hammond stepping in to cover her on This Morning. Almost one year later, on July 4, 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.
Holly, bravely waived her right to anonymity but her victim impact statement was not read. However, the court heard that the details of Plumb's plans were too disturbing to be reported. In a brave interview, Holly has opened up about the ordeal and admits that she didn't once question stepping out of the limelight.
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Holly Willoughby/Instagram)Image:
PA)"No, it wasn't an option," she said. She went on to tell The Sunday Times Style Magazine: " For me, it’s just not an option. For all those reasons I've said. That all means too much to me, to let, you know, that be the other road I could have gone down. And look, so many people go through tough things — they just do."
Mr Justice Edward Murray who sentenced Plumb described Holly as a "well-known and well-loved public figure," before adding that she is "entitled to respect for her private and family life." He went on to say that he had "carefully" read Ms Willoughby's victim statement but the contents were to be classified and shown "only to those who needed to see."
He said: "I simply note I am satisfied these offences have had life-changing consequences for her both privately and professionally," before praising Holly for the "considerable courage" she demonstrated when waiving her right to anonymity in the case. 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.
The judge continued: "Your plan was hopelessly unrealistic for a number of reasons – including your poor physical health – but you clearly thought it was feasible. Although you talked about carrying out the plan on your own, I am sure that this was simply bravado. You always intended to carry out your plan to kidnap, rape and kill Ms Willoughby, but only if you could find the right man or men – the right 'crew' as you sometimes called it – to help you do it."
He told the disgraced security guard that his plans were so "horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail," that they couldn't be heard in an open court. "The jury, however, read every single message during the trial," he said, before adding: "Your claim in your evidence that you had bought the chloroform to clean a stubborn stain on your living room carpet was a particularly clumsy and obvious lie."
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.
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