Holly Willoughby's nightmare year - from TV's golden girl to terrifying murder plot

Holly Willoughby had endured a torrid fall from grace from her position as television’s golden girl when police descended on ITV’s studios last October to warn her they had unearthed a devastating plot to kidnap, rape and murder her.

After the American FBI alerted UK cops over Gavin Plumb's twisted plan, executives on ITV's top-rated This Morning show immediately made the decision to remove her from the day’s broadcast, replacing her with Alison Hammond.

The mother-of-three was sent home with police mounting a 24/7 security operation at the London home where she lives with her husband Daniel Baldwin, 49, and their three children.

Within days the star announced she was leaving the show on a permanent basis and remained off air until she returned to UK screens in January hosting celebrity skating contest Dancing On Ice.

Gavin Plumb, 37, of Harlow in Essex, was today found guilty after appearing in Chelmsford Crown Court this week. He had denied soliciting murder, inciting kidnap and inciting rape.

The 37-year-old was accused of developing an obsession with the mother-of-three and encouraging others online to carry out his alleged plans alongside him to live out his "ultimate fantasy".

Holly had 'the world at her feet'

In 2018 the star had “the world at her feet” after thrilling viewers as she co-hosted I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here with Declan Donnelly due to Ant McPartlin’s enforced absence.

But there was public fury following allegations she had pushed to the front of the mammoth queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state at Westminster Hall in London while tens of thousands of mourners patiently waited for 12 hours at a time to pay their respects to the late monarch.

Holly and Philip were accused of using their celebrity status to "jump the queue" as they were filmed paying their respects.

The presenters argued their visit was "strictly for reporting" purposes but the episode sparked anger across the country.

She then became embroiled in further scandal as This Morning co-host and close friend Philip Schofield admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a much younger male colleague.

Appearing at last year’s National Television Awards in September Ms Willoughby’s crown slipped even further as she was booed by the audience.

The negative reaction came as her ITV show also lost its 12-year winning streak after The Repair Shop scooped up the award for Best Daytime Show at the star-studded ceremony at The O2 in London.

If that wasn't enough, the host suffered another career blow when missing out on a nomination in the Best Presenter category in favour of her co-star Alison Hammond. Holly, who has never won the prize, received nods every year between 2018 and 2021.

At the time she left the show ratings had taken a dramatic plunge - with some shows dipping below the 500,000 viewer mark. At its height it attracted approaching 3 million daily viewers.

In what appears to be a move away from her previous prominent daytime role Holly will next appear on UK screens presenting a Netflix show, to be released next year, in which adventurer Bear Grylls hunts down celebrities in the jungle.