Plumb was posting in an online chat called “Abduct Lovers” on the Kik messenger platform in October 2023.

Writing under the username of BigBear341987, the security guard began disclosing his plot to abduct Ms Willoughby to a man named David Nelson.

However, that man was an undercover police officer from the US who was using a pseudonym.

In their conversations, Plumb detailed his plans and sent the officer a video of a "kidnap kit" he had assembled - including hand and ankle shackles, a rope and a ball gag.

Nelson passed this information on to the FBI, who alerted Essex Police. Officers then raided Plumb’s home in Potters Field in Harlow.

Giving evidence during the trial, Nelson told jurors he was concerned Plumb was "looking for hitmen" to carry out his plot.

"He said 'I know when she gets up in the morning', as well as not having security cameras where she was,” Nelson said.

"I felt there was an imminent threat to this individual. It's very rare for an individual to post they have some potential information.”

Laura Foster
Senior reporter

Gavin Plumb was found guilty of three charges relating to the planning of an attack on Holly Willoughby.

They were soliciting murder and inciting kidnap and rape between 2021 and 2023.

Because Plumb's planning was interrupted, he never got to the point of attacking the television presenter.

But as the prosecution said during the trial: "if you are encouraging someone to commit a criminal offence, you are yourself committing a criminal offence".

Image source, CPS

Gavin Plumb’s trial heard that his obsession with Holly Willoughby had been ongoing for at least 10 years prior to his arrest.

He admitted to being a loner who rarely left his house and began to fantasise about Ms Willoughby, who presented This Morning on ITV, as well as one season of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.

When police raided his flat in Harlow, a handwritten note was found.

Scribbled across a side and a half of paper was a list of the names of 136 female celebrities.

Top of the pile was Holly Willoughby.

Officers also recovered a Microsoft Word document on his computer, entitled “Wishes”. Ms Willoughby was again listed as his top desire.

Another text contained just one line: "In July 2014, Holly and Gavin Plumb (born 25 February 1987) ended their year-long affair".

And police also found an Instagram message Plumb sent to Ms Willoughby, which read: “I wanted to see if you are aware that there is some very real looking images of you online?”

You can read more about the background in our story here.

Image source, Essex Police

Welcome to our live updates page from the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The security guard who was jailed for life for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby is to have an appeal against his sentence heard today.

Gavin Plumb, 38, was found guilty and his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard his “ultimate fantasy” was to ambush Ms Willoughby at her home and bring highly sexualised violence against her.

Plumb, from Harlow in Essex, must serve a minimum term of 16 years before being considered for release.

His appeal is due to be heard later at the Court of Appeal, being listed from this morning, although other cases are also being heard.

A warning that the content coming from the courtroom, and from our recap of the trial, contains details that you may find distressing.

We'll be bringing you updates from the hearing.