Beloved British television host Holly Willoughby announced Tuesday that she’s leaving ITV’s “This Morning.”
Willoughby’s departure comes just days after Essex police arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with a suspected kidnapping plot against the host. “There were apparently some sinister and threatening messages found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her,” a source told The Sun of the situation. Willoughby didn’t take part in “This Morning” in the days following the threats, and was placed under police protection at her home.
It’s unclear whether Willoughby’s decision to leave is directly related to the alleged plot, or if it’s just a coincidence in timing. She thanked fans of the hit morning show for their unending support via an Instagram post, saying she felt the need to leave “for me and my family.”
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Willoughby hosted the show for 14 years, and became a staple of British television. “Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously,” ITV managing director of media, Kevin Lygo, said in a statement. (RELATED: ‘Sinister’: Kidnapping And Death Threats Against Holly Willoughby Force Her Off Air)
“She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future,” the statement concluded. So it sounds like we haven’t seen the last of Willoughby!