Intruder broke into This Morning studios days before ‘plot to kidnap and kill’ Holly Willoughby was exposed
POLICE were alerted after a major ITV security scare involving a young female worker — days before the alleged Holly Willoughby kidnap and murder plot was exposed.
A man was held by guards after he followed the woman into a lift at the This Morning studios in White City, West London, on Thursday, September 28.
She shouted out for help in terror.
The incident happened at 5.50am, ten minutes before Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid was due to go on air at 6am — and close to where Holly was due to arrive for work later.
Lorraine Kelly was also expected soon after.
Security bosses at the site, which is operated by BBC Studioworks, notified police.
An internal probe into the breach is also being carried out.
Staff were sent an email by bosses reminding them to wear their identification passes at all times.
The scare happened a week before The Sun exclusively revealed on Thursday that a man had been arrested over a plot to kidnap and murder This Morning presenter Holly, 42 — forcing her off air and to have a police guard at home.
A telly source said: “A man snuck into the studios by following a junior female member of ITV staff into the lift, which took him right down to outside the This Morning offices.
“She was shaken and security escorted the man out.
“Clearly, what happened to Holly has also added to the sense of fear and distress among everyone at ITV.”
ITV said: “The isolated incident was swiftly dealt with by security.
“The safety of colleagues, on and off-screen, is always of the utmost importance and we have robust security measures in place. No ITV daytime show was on air.”
BBC Studioworks said “steps had been taken to prevent a recurrence”.
A BBC Studio source said: “The Met Police were notified about the incident, however it was dealt with by our in-house security team which is normal protocol.”
Holly is expected to take time off This Morning indefinitely. She has pulled out of an awards event in London tonight.
Security guard Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, has been charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap.
A court heard he tried to recruit a US hitman to carry out his plan to kidnap and murder Holly.
He was remanded to appear at Chelmsford crown court on November 3.
