Man charged in connection with alleged plot to kidnap British TV host Holly Willoughby
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap Holly Willoughby, one of Britain’s most high-profile television personalities
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap Holly Willoughby, one of Britain's most high-profile television personalities.
In a statement Friday, Essex Police said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday and is due to appear in court in Chelmsford, around 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of London later.
It said the man was “arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap as part of an ongoing investigation.”
Willoughby, who presents the ITV network’s flagship daytime program ‘This Morning’ and ‘Dancing on Ice’ during the early months of the year, has been off air since Thursday.
Though police didn't mention Willoughby, she has been widely identified across British media and even by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“I’m so sorry to hear everything going on with Holly," he said while appearing on “This Morning” on Friday. "I just want to send my best to her and her family.”
Her colleague Lorraine Kelly also addressed the story on Friday’s episode of her own program, saying it was “very, very upsetting”.
ITV are providing around-the-clock security at the 42-year-old's east London home alongside the police.
According to The Sun newspaper, the suspect is not known to Willoughby.