Holly Willoughby makes TV return after kidnap plot ordeal
Holly Willoughby has made her return to TV and the stage at the National Television Awards (NTAs) after her high profile court ordeal - enjoying a reunion with her former This Morning co-stars Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.
The presenter hasn’t been on stage since security guard Gavin Plumb was jailed after plotting to abduct, rape and murder the star.
She was a presenter at the NTAs on Wednesday, 11 September – a glittering night in the showbiz world where Willoughby's former This Morning colleagues were reunited with her on the red carpet.
We have a look at what the TV star has been up to, and her appearance at the NTAs.
Holly Willoughby presenting at NTAs
The NTAs took place at the O2 Arena in London, with returning host Joel Dommett once again at the helm for the fourth year.
Willoughby, who has been a presenter at the ceremony many times before, was welcomed back on stage this year to give out the gong for the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award goes to @imacelebrity#NTAs@ITVpic.twitter.com/a4cH7M9dCF
— National TV Awards (@OfficialNTAs) September 11, 2024
She looked delighted as she read out that I'm A Celebrity were the winners, with her showbiz pals Ant and Dec and former This Morning co-host Josie Gibson amongst those coming up to collect the trophy. Willoughby had filled in as Dec's I'm A Celebrity co-host in 2018 while Ant was in rehab and taking a break from TV.
Previously, host Dommett shared his enthusiasm about having Willoughby back at the NTAs. He said on Lorraine: "It's genuinely lovely to have Holly back on the NTAs. She embodies the NTAs. It's honestly wonderful to have her here."
This Morning reunion
Willoughby left This Morning in October last year after Plumb’s plot emerged. The mum-of-three, who had been on the ITV show's sofa for almost 14 years, said at the time that she had made the decision to leave “for me and my family”.
"I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning,” she said in a statement shared on Instagram.
"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."
The NTAs was a chance for Willoughby to catch up with her This Morning friends. She was reunited with former co-stars Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond on the red carpet, who hugged her and shared a laugh with her before the ceremony got underway.
She also posed for a group photo with Hammond, O'Leary, This Morning's Rochelle Humes, Craig Doyle and Ashley James, and ITV presenter Davina McCall, who all hugged her in the picture - suggesting she is still close to her former colleagues.
This Morning was nominated in the Daytime category but lost out to ITV stablemate The Chase, Alison Hammond was in the running for a gong in the TV Presenter category - although it was won by Ant and Dec for the 23rd year in a row - and Josie Gibson joined the I'm A Celebrity contingent.
What has Holly Willoughby been working on?
While she has spent some time out of the limelight, Willoughby has stayed busy behind the scenes.
The star has some big shows in the pipeline, including a reboot of You Bet! ITV is bringing back the classic gambling gameshow, which debuted in 1988 with Bruce Forsyth as host, and Willoughby will present with her Dancing On Ice pal Stephen Mulhern. While the show doesn’t yet have an official air date, it's thought it could start this autumn.
The star is also working on a new show with Bear Grylls that has an interesting premise. The show has the working title of Bear Hunt and will see the celebs sent into the Central American jungle and taught survival skills. In a twist, they will become “prey” for Grylls and will be hunted in what’s been described as a “brutal game of cat and mouse”.
Willoughby will host the programme, which will drop in 2025, and some big name stars are said to be circling the project, including Steph McGovern, Shirley Ballas and Mel B.
Gavin Plumb court case
Gavin Plumb’s plan to kidnap and kill Willoughby came to light when a US undercover police officer infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers and saw his posts.
He was arrested at his home in Potters Field, Harlow in October 2023 and the trial started in June this year. He was found guilty after an eight day trial and in July was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison.
Willoughby released a statement after the verdict, saying: “As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.
“I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response. Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.”
