Holly Willoughby heals row with Phil Schofield as he seeks help with ‘kidnapping and murder plot’ ordeal

HOLLY Willoughby has healed her row with Phillip Schofield after seeking support following the alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Holly, 42, was placed under 24-hour police protection after the alarm was raised shortly before her This Morning talk on Thursday.

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Sources close to Phil, with whom she co-hosted the ITV show for 14 years, said he was disgusted by the allegations.

The 61-year-old is said to have contacted his former best friend again for the first time in months Sunday Mirror Reports.

The pair had not spoken since Phil was axed from the ITV flagship show for lying about an affair with a younger employee.

But Holly has welcomed the approach – a source told The Sun she was “really happy” to have buried the hatchet.

A source close to Holly told The Sun on Sunday: “Despite reports of a feud between them, Holly had contacted Phil because she was concerned about the toll his departure from ITV was taking on him.”

“He has now reached out to her after learning about the incident. She was really happy to hear from him.”

The pair’s close friendship fell apart after Phil confessed to lying about having an affair with a young employee and left the long-running ITV daytime show.

It is understood Holly had contacted him to express her concerns during the accident, but it is believed the pair have had no further contact.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: “Holly and Phil’s friendship was so close before the events of this year. Phil’s decision to reach out and Holly’s greeting show that there is still a bond between them.”

The source added: “The hope is that they can regain some of the lost ground and support each other again.”

The reconciliation comes after Holly was placed on “indefinite leave” in the wake of the alleged conspiracy from This Morning.

Holly has been under 24-hour surveillance since details of the alleged plot emerged.

Police officers are stationed outside the London home she lives with husband Dan Baldwin and their three children.

It goes without saying that ITV offers security and support.

She was “shocked and distraught” and it was decided that she should withdraw from the show.

Gavin Plumb, 36, appeared in court yesterday after police raided his Essex home earlier this week.

Chelmsford Magistrates Court heard on Friday that Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, allegedly hatched a plan to kidnap and kill the TV star.

When officers searched Plumb’s home, they believed they found chloroform, zip ties, a blindfold and rope.

They believed this may have been part of a “kidnap and bondage set.”

It emerged that police also believed Plumb was trying to recruit a hitman in the US to carry out the plot.

After raiding Plumb’s home, police charged him with solicitation to commit murder and solicitation of a kidnapping.

When Plumb appeared in court, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and place of employment.

District Judge Caroline Jackson refused him bail and he will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 3.

This Morning bosses were made aware of the alleged plot on Thursday morning and the presenter decided to step away shortly before it was broadcast.

On the show yesterday, regular Friday presenter Dermot O’Leary said: “We won’t talk about it too much, but Holly is on the front pages after police arrested a 36-year-old man over an alleged kidnap plot.”

The source told the newspaper: “Phil was absolutely horrified to learn she had allegedly been attacked in such a vile manner and decided to reach out to her even though they had no contact.”

“He wanted her to know he was thinking about her and her family. They have so much history and you wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy.”

Tensions between the daytime TV stars rose in May after Phil released a statement in which he referred to her as his “rock” while admitting that the last few weeks “have not been easy for any of us.”

Days later, Phil announced he was stepping down from the show and humbly apologized for lying to his employers, colleagues, friends and the management company about his “ill-advised but not illegal” affair.

In response, Holly wrote on her Instagram page: “When reports of this relationship first emerged I asked Phil if it was true and was told it wasn’t. It was very hurtful to find out now that it was a lie.”

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