This is such a difficult goodbye

Holly quits This Morning

- TOM BRYANT

HOLLY Willoughby has quit This Morning, telling bosses at ITV she felt unable to carry on after a man appeared in court charged with plotting her kidnap and murder.

The 42-year-old presenter, who is married with three children, announced her decision to quit online, posting: "I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family."

A TV source said: "It has all got too much. It's all very sad and everyone at ITV supports her decision, which is clearly a very personal one."

Holly said: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.

"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.

"This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together."

Last night there was anger among her friends that she had been forced to give up a job she loved because she feared for her safety. One friend said: "She is in a bad way but some things aren't worth it no matter how much she adored This Morning. It's terrible that one of our best presenters felt she had no choice.

Her resignation comes after a tumultuous year. Last September, Holly and her This Morning sidekick Phillip Schofield were trolled after being accused of jumping the queue at the Queen's lying in state.