Holly Willoughby has revealed how her Netflix co-host Bear Grylls helped “harness her fears”, after police uncovered a terrifying plot to kidnap, rape and murder her.
The TV presenter famously quit This Morning after 14 years in October 2023 due to the chilling threat, which caused her to take a break from the spotlight.
The police were tipped off about the plot, after finding what they believed to be a “kidnapping kit” in the home of 36-year-old Gavin Plumb – who has since been jailed.
After taking a break from the limelight, Holly has since returned to the small screen – hosting ITV’s Dancing On Ice, plus a brand new Netflix series called Celebrity Bear Hunt.
The 43-year-old is fronting the show alongside Bear Grylls, and the series will see famous faces dropped into the jungle of Costa Rica to become “prey” for the survival expert.
Speaking ahead of the show’s premiere on February 5th, Holly said: “There were a few moments on this show where I had to dig deep and have a strong word with myself.
“At those times it was good to have someone like Bear Grylls next to you saying, being brave is about using that fear, harnessing it and doing it anyway.”
“Those words really get in your head and help you, he has definitely given me some transferable skills and being in nature allows you to put your thinking down for a bit and be present.”
Holly also confessed the reason she decided to sign up to host the new series is because her three children, whom she shares with her husband Dan Baldwin, are “massive fans” of Bear.
“Before we went into filming, Bear and I met to talk about the show, just spending a bit of time with him I was really inspired,” she explained.
“This is his passion and his absolute love – he lives, eats, and breathes it. It’s incredible to be around.”
“Having kids at different ages makes it quite hard to find something to watch all together.
“Celebrity Bear Hunt has got the action and adventure that my boys Harry, 15, and Chester, 10, will love but also the reality, relationships, and dynamics that my daughter Belle, 13, and I are going to love watching together.”
Celebrity Bear Hunt will see 12 celebrity contestants trained in survival skills before they try to escape capture by Bear Grylls in the jungle.
The contestants include ex tennis star Boris Becker, former rugby player Danny Cipriani, TV presenter Steph McGovern, TV cook Big Zuu, The Saturdays star Una Healy and The Inbetweeners actor Joe Thomas, Spice Girls star Mel B, model Lottie Moss, and Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas.
Last July, Gavin Plumb was sent to prison after he was found guilty of three charges including soliciting murder, encouraging or assisting the commission of kidnap, and encouraging or assisting the commission of rape following a trial.
A specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service Nicola Rice said: “Gavin Plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation’s most familiar faces.”
“Despite his attempts to pass himself off as a harmless fantasist, the prosecution persuaded the jury that Plumb posed a very real threat.”
“The chilling details of his plans were laid bare with the help of an undercover officer from the US who alerted the FBI to the threat, and the seriousness of Plumb’s scheme was exposed when the prosecution successfully applied to tell the jury about Plumb’s previous convictions.”
“I hope his conviction brings some comfort to Holly Willoughby and her family and shows others that the Crown Prosecution Service will always seek the strongest possible charges against those who plot violence against women.”
While Holly did not attend the trial, she released a powerful statement after his sentencing.
She 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.”
“Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible,” she added.
Mr Plumb was arrested by police in October 2023 after they allegedly found “sinister messages” threatening to kidnap and “seriously harm” the TV presenter.
He was accused of allegedly contacting a ‘hitman’ in the US in order to carry out his plan against her.
