Holly Willoughby kidnap plot trial's key moments

Holly Willoughby is at the centre of an alleged kidnap and murder plot trial that is being heard at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, is accused of planning to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning presenter. Plumb, of Harlow, Essex, denies all the charges.

Willoughby waived her right to anonymity in relation to the incitement to rape allegation. The alleged victims of sex offences or targets of sex offence have the right to remain anonymous for life.

Willoughby left her high-profile job on This Morning in October but she returned to TV with her Dancing on Ice presenting duties earlier this year. At the time, she said: "I have to make this decision for me and my family."

While she has no plans to return to This Morning, Willoughby is making a comeback to the spotlight. Out next year, the TV presenter will be the host of new Netflix show Bear Hunt, alongside Bear Grylls.

The trial expected to last two weeks is being heard at Chelmsford Crown Court. It started last week and we take a look at some of the key moments that have been heard in court so far.

Moment Plumb was arrested

Plumb's arrest was shown in court from footage captured on a police body-worn camera. When told he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap, Plumb asked "who" and was told it was Willoughby. In footage from 4 October, he told officers: "I’m not gonna lie, she is a fantasy of mine."

Plumb told the court he was 30 stone when he was taken into custody but now he is 24 and a half stone. Defence barrister Sasha Wass KC asked a video of Plumb in police custody be played in court. She said: "I wanted the jury to see Mr Plumb was talking freely and to see the size he was then as opposed to now."

Plumb 'heartbroken' Holly Willoughby chats public

Plumb also said he is "absolutely heartbroken" that his online chats about kidnapping, raping and murdering Holly Willoughby "come out".

He told the court: "I completely regret this chat and I’m disgusted this has all come out." Asked on whether he would apologise by the prosecutor, he added: "I’m sorry for the contents of the chat, absolutely. I’m absolutely heartbroken, disgusted and shocked that it has come out."

Fears Holly Willoughby was in 'immediate danger'

The court also heard from an undercover police officer. The officer, who is based in America, was referred to by the pseudonym David Nelson for the safety of his family and himself. His job saw him "engage in online investigations across various types of social media applications".

He shared his fears that Willoughby faced an "imminent threat" from Plumb, whom he had been speaking to. The officer told the court that he came across Plumb on an online group called Abduct Lovers. Asked why he directly messaged Plumb, he said: "I felt there was imminent threat to the female at that time."

'Kidnap kit'

Accused of the kidnap plot, the court heard how Plumb had bought 400 metal cable ties online in April 2022. The prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told Chelmsford Crown Court that Plumb "purchased four lots of 100 pieces" that were "described as heavy duty, they’re cable ties".

Footage of items — including ankle shackles, ball gag, rope, metal cable ties and handcuffs — were shown to the jury. The court heard how the security guard sent a potential accomplice a video of restraint “kit” items laid out on a bed.

'Abandoned farm with cells to hold Willoughby'

The court also heard how Plumb looked at an abandoned farm with cells to "keep" Willoughby. The prosecutor read out a Whatsapp exchange and the defendant said: "We’ve got somewhere in the country to keep her Ryan (another man he had been speaking with) is interested again by the looks of it."

In the Whatsapp read out in court, Plumb explained the place was "a stud farm that’s abandoned" that "had cells".

Security guard had '10,322 images of Holly Willoughby'

On the first day of the trial it was revealed police found 10,322 images of Willoughby on Plumb's mobile phone in a folder called "Holly".

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told Chelmsford Crown Court: "There was a folder in fact on the defendant’s telephone which was called ‘Holly’ and it contained 10,322 images of Holly Willoughby."

The trial continues.