A shopping centre security officer has been remanded in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby.
Gavin Plumb is charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap between 2 and 5 October in Harlow, Essex, in the UK.
The charges indicate the defendant is accused of planning to assemble a "kidnap and restraint kit" and encouraging a third party to travel to the UK to carry out the alleged offences.
The 36-year-old appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court in a green T-shirt today, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and where he worked.
The court heard Mr Plumb is alleged to have conspired online with another man and created a "detailed plan" to carry out the offences.
The other man was due to arrive in the UK next week from the US, the court heard.
Mr Plumb, from Harlow, was remanded into custody by District Judge Caroline Jackson until a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 3 November.
Ms Willoughby did not appear on yesterday's edition of the ITV show This Morning. ITV are providing security and support for Ms Willoughby alongside the police.
A spokesperson for ITV said: "This news has come as a huge shock to everyone at This Morning and ITV. We are providing all of the support we can to Holly and her family at this incredibly distressing time."
On today's edition of the show, presenter Dermot O'Leary said: "We are not going to talk too much about it but Holly is on the front pages after police arrested a 36-year-old man over an alleged kidnap plot."
Co-presenter Alison Hammond said: "We are obviously all shocked to hear the news and we want to send our love and biggest hugs to Holly and her family."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also addressed the case as he appeared on This Morning today. He said: "Before we get going, I'm so sorry to hear everything going on with Holly.
"I just wanted to send my best to her and her family, and to all of you."
Source: Press Association
