Holly Willoughby is currently being protected by police

Fans of 'This Morning' noticed her absence from the show this week, but many presumed Willougby was unwell. However, the presenter was actually placed under police watch after a plan to kidnap her was revealed just hours before the show aired.

The presenter is reportedly "distraught" over the incident, but a man has been arrested.

According to The Mirror, a man aged in his 30s was arrested at a flat in Harlow, Essex on Wednesday evening.

He has reportedly been accused of "soliciting to commit murder, incitement to commit rape, and incitement to commit kidnap".

Willoughby was removed from the ITV schedule on Thursday for her own protection. She is being watched by a round-the-clock police guard at her family home.

Police are offering support to her husband, Daniel Baldwin, as well as their sons Harry and Chester, and their daughter, Belle.

Essex Police issued a statement following the terrifying incident:

"A 36-year-old man from Harlow has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap as part of an ongoing investigation. The arrest was made on Wednesday, October 4. He is currently in custody."

The suspect reportedly sent "sinister messages" to the mum-of-three and also threatened to harm her. The suspect is not known to Willoughby.

ITV has not yet confirmed when she will return to This Morning.

An insider told The Sun that Holly was left distraught following the incident.

"There were apparently some sinister and threatening messages found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her."

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