Why has Holly Willoughby quit This Morning? Furious friends speak out after star leaves ITV show

Some of Holly Willoughby's friends have been left furious after claiming she was left with no choice but to leave This Morning to protect her family.

The 42-year-old announced via an Instagram post that she was quitting the show, telling ITV bosses that she felt unable to carry on with presenting it. One friend said they were angry and believe Holly had to give up her job because she feared for her safety, the Mirror reports.

It comes after a man was arrested for the alleged plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby. He has since been charged.

Read more: Alison Hammond sends message to Holly Willoughby after This Morning exit announcement

The 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.”

Announcing her departure, Holly said: "I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. 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.”

A TV source said: “It’s all very sad and everyone at ITV supports her decision, which is clearly a very personal one.”

Holly pullled out of the show on Thursday while her London home that she shares with husband Dan Baldwin and their children Belle, Harry, and Chester, was being guarded by police following the arrest of a man on Wednesday. On Friday, shop security guard Gavin Plumb, 36, was charged with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to kidnap Holly between October 2 and 5.

After her