Holly Willoughby's heartbreaking kids confession after murder plot 'ruined huge moment'

Holly missed out on vital time with her children after Plumb's sickening plans came to light (Image: Instagram)

TV star Holly Willoughby was tragically forced to miss out on parts of her children's lives due to a horrifying plot against her life.

The Dancing On Ice presenter, who is appearing on Graham Norton's show, was left in shock on October 2023 when she was informed by the police about a chilling plan to kidnap, rape and murder her. Gavin Plumb had been secretly orchestrating an attack on the star, with some of the details too horrific to disclose.

After finishing her segment on This Morning, Holly was swiftly taken to safety, with her colleague Alison Hammond stepping in as her replacement. Unbeknownst to Plumb, he had been communicating his vile plans to an undercover police officer in America, thinking he was an accomplice.

On July 4, 2024, Plumb was convicted of soliciting murder, encouraging or assisting in the commission of kidnap, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of rape. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years for his heinous crimes.

Holly courageously waived her right to anonymity, but her victim impact statement was deemed classified, reports the Mirror.

Plumb was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years behind bars (Image: PA)

Holly Willoughby has spoken out in a rare interview about the impact certain events have had on her personal life, disclosing how these events prevented her from engaging in everyday activities with her children. "I've spent a long time not being able to take my kids to school," she confided.

Revealing further details to The Sunday Times Style Magazine, she reflected on what she's missed out on: "I know, the school run, every [other] parent, they'd be like, 'Christ, you absolutely dodged a bullet there.' But there have been so many assemblies I haven't been able to go to, so many things I've missed. Harry [her eldest son], is doing his GCSEs at the moment, this is his last year of school before he goes off to college and A-levels and stuff."

Holly went on to express a newfound appreciation for the time she now has: "And actually I'm grateful for having this time. Without even realising it, I think I've missed that. It's really lovely to get some of that back."

In related proceedings, Mr Justice Edward Hess acknowledged Holly's status while addressing the courtroom, saying that she was a "well-known and well-loved public figure" He noted that he had "carefully" perused her impact statement and concluded that it was too disturbing to be disclosed, deciding it would only be shown to "those who needed to see."

Holly was unable to take her children to school or attend assemblies after the plot emerged (Image: @hollywilloughby/Instagram)

Justice Edward Murray was unequivocal in his address to Plumb, stating he harboured "no doubt" that the security guard had intentions for Willoughby that reached far beyond mere fantasy. "I have no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you," the Judge told the courtroom.

He elaborated on the security guard's scheme, describing it as "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."

Despite the unlikelihood of success, Murray pointed out Plumb's determination, hinting at potential collaboration: "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."

The gravity of Plumb's machinations was such that recounting them in public was not possible, according to Murray, who told him his plans were too "horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail," to be disclosed openly. Nonetheless, "The jury, however, read every single message during the trial," he declared, while discrediting Plumb's defense regarding the chloroform purchase: "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."

While Holly opted to keep her witness statement confidential, Alison Morgan KC relayed to 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 continued, stressing that the episodes had a "catastrophic impact" on Holly's life. With "no meaningful mitigating factors" present, she pressed for Plumb to receive a life sentence.