British TV star Holly Willoughby is reportedly under police protection at her London home in the UK after a man was arrested following an alleged kidnap plot involving the star.
Willoughby didn’t present her ITV morning TV show This Morning following the 36-year-old man being arrested on Wednesday evening.
He is alleged to have sent the 42-year-old household name “sinister messages” threatening to kidnap the presenter and harm her.
It is reported the alleged kidnap plans were thwarted through mobile and digital devices.
Neighbours of the man claimed they saw him being taken from his one-bedroom flat in Harlow, Essex, by police on Wednesday night.
One told The Sun newspaper: “I saw him being led out of his flat in handcuffs last night at about nine o’clock.”
Police cars have since been seen protecting the star’s London mansion where she lives with her husband Daniel Baldwin and their three children Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and eight-year-old Chester.
The British tabloid quoted a source saying the allegations were “a credible conspiracy to kidnap” the star, with an investigation now underway.
An Essex Police spokesman told the paper: “A 36-year-old man from Harlow has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap as part of an ongoing investigation.
“The arrest was made on Wednesday October 4.
“He is currently in custody. Enquiries continue.”
Willoughby was informed just moments before taking to air and she decided to pull out of presenting with co-stars Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson filling in for her.
The drama is the latest saga to strike the beleaguered presenter this year.
She had to tell viewers she “felt let down” after her long-time co-host Philip Schofield stepped down from the programme after it was revealed he had an extra-marital affair with a former young staffer at the broadcaster.
Schofield, 61, said he lied to her when she confronted him about the claims.
Before stepping down the pair faced a public backlash for skipping the 16-hour queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth II’s body resting in state.
Willoughby has fronted This Morning since 2009.
