This Morning's 12 months from hell from presenter infighting to alleged crime plots

This Morning has come a long way in the almost 35 years it's been on British TV screens. But the last 12 months have been among its most difficult, with a catalogue of bad news and negative stories befalling the ITV hit.

Today (Tuesday) Holly Willoughby announced that, after 14 years at the helm of the programme, she will not be returning to her role as host. It comes after a man was charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the TV star.

Gavin Plumb, 36, has been remanded in custody after being charged with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex. 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.

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Bosses at the ITV show were alerted to the alleged plot on Thursday morning (October 5) and the presenter decided to pull out shortly before she was due to go on air, the Sun newspaper reported. ITV was understood to be providing round-the-clock security and support for the star, alongside the police.

It comes just five months Willoughby’s former co-host Phillip Schofield left the show after he admitted to having a relationship with a younger male former colleague. The veteran TV star, who admitted to the affair with while still married to his wife, lost his high-profile job on This Morning in May.

He also said goodbye to his lucrative contract with ITV and his talent representation. In February 2020 the