Holly 'grateful' after kidnap plot ordeal

Holly Willoughby has thanked police for foiling a plot to kidnap, rape and murder her, after waiving her right to anonymity

- Mitya Underwood

Holly Willoughby made an emotional yet defiant statement following security guard Gavin Plumb's conviction for planning to kidnap, rape and murder her.

Her relief that the nine-month ordeal was finally over was clear, as she said she would be "forever grateful" to those who stopped the 37-year-old from executing his twisted plans.

The jury spent 12 hours and 19 minutes deliberating the evidence before returning their guilty verdicts on Thursday and Holly, 43, released her statement less than two hours later.

Plumb wept as he was sent down to the cells after the jury rejected his defence that the detailed plotting was simply a "dark, twisted fantasy".

In the heartfelt statement, Holly said, "As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer, who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response." She also thanked Plumb's previous victims for "speaking up at the time", acknowledging that "without their bravery, this conviction may not have been possible".