Holly Willoughby breaks down in tears as she reveals devastating impact of sick plot to murder her on her family

TV star Holly Willoughby has revealed for the first time the devastating impact of the murder plot on her family, saying: “It’s been s**t for all of us.”

In the first interview since her stalker was jailed for life, Holly, 43, shed tears and said, “I had to go on, focus on the positive” and admitted, “It’s been a tough one. There’s no way of sugar-coating it”.

But she revealed quitting her career and walking away was the “last thing on my mind”.

Obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb was jailed for life last July over his plan to ambush Holly at her home.

The 37-year-old loner wanted to knock her out with chloroform and take her to a dungeon where her screams would not be heard “for miles”.

Holly has so far told of the ordeal only in a statement given at Plumb’s trial.

Asked by The Sunday Times if there was a moment when she could have let the situation consume her, Holly said: “It wasn’t an option.”

Clearly emotional, the interview told how Holly had to stop to cry and gather her breath several times.

Asked if she felt like a survivor or was surviving, she said: “Nothing can prepare you for something like that.

It’s been a tough one… there is no way of sugar
coating it

Holly

“When that happens, you either decide, right, I can take this on board and it can affect all aspects of my life.

“Or I can make a choice to go, let’s focus on everything that’s positive and good.

“I’m healthy and I’m happy.

“I’ve got a wonderful husband and children and family, I’ve got great friends.

“You have to go; I choose to positively move forward and rely on all those people — the police, court, judge, jury — to do their role. And that’s what I had to do.”

Holly had been moments from going on air for This Morning in October 2023 when told about the plot.

Vile Plumb was foiled when he divulged his plan to an undercover cop on website Abduct Lovers.

He had shared videos of his kidnap kit and a map showing the route from his Harlow, Essex, home to Holly’s.

She has since moved the family to a new property.

Plumb was sentenced to life with a 16-year minimum term.

Following the verdict, Holly said she will be “forever grateful” to those who foiled the evil plot.

I can make a choice to go, lets focus on everything
positive

Holly

The ordeal partly acted as a catalyst for her leaving This Morning after 14 years in October 2023.

It followed her feud with ex co-host Phillip Schofield, who left the show five months earlier amid fury over his affair with a younger colleague.

Asked if it was scary walking away without a clear plan on what to do next, Holly told the interviewer: “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 was really simple and easy actually.”

The move has allowed her to spend more time with TV producer husband Dan Baldwin and their children Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, ten.

Holly said: “Ultimately you have to hold on to how all this serves its purpose.

“A lot of the change has been really good, you know? “I’ve spent a long time not being able to take my kids to school. There have been so many assemblies, so many things I’ve missed.”

“Harry is doing GCSEs this year and Holly admitted she is “grateful for having this time”.

She added: “Without even realising it, I think I’ve missed that. It’s lovely to get some of that back.”

The new routine also had drawbacks.

Holly said: “When I was at home a lot, the kids would walk through the door and I’d be like, ‘So what happened today? They were like, ‘Mum, just because you’ve been at home all day — we’ve been at school, we’re exhausted.’ It’s been s**t for all of us. We’ve had to get used to how each other works again.”

Holly said she knew she would return to TV and get “back to normality”.

On whether money was part of the reason she returned to telly, she said: “I’d be an idiot if I said no. Money’s not the reason I make a decision.

“I’m not saying, ‘How much are they going to pay me for this, for that?’ But by definition my work is a business. I’m not going to shy away from saying that.”

Holly will next be seen in Netflix’s Bear Hunt, featuring celebs being tracked down by adventurer Bear Grylls in the jungles of Costa Rica.

At Christmas she hosted You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern, and more recently resumed presenting duties on ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

In The Sunday Times’ Style magazine, Holly told how Bear came to the rescue when she found a tarantula in her shower.

She said: “He just picked it up and put it out.

“He’s really brave, and I’m a complete wimp with everything.”

But on getting through her rough year, she reflected: “I’m made of quite tough stuff.

“I have that thing where I definitely would rather take the easy option, but I know, if I have to, there is something in there. A little bit (of a steely core). When needed.”